[1579/10/51]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†Forasmuch as there are diverse and sundry Scotsmen, married and unmarried, within the parts of the Low Countries under the king of Spain's dominion, keeping their residence where this nation keeps their staple and having their life, industry and trade from the king's majesty's subjects, as factors to them, using and exercising the privileges granted to the said nation within the said parts of the Low Countries so far as the same makes for them their commodity and profit, and at others times renouncing the same and reclaiming therefrom, alleging to their portary† residence in a foreign country, forsaking the obedience to the king's majesty, his laws and officers; therefore, that it may be statute and ordained that an incorporation be made of the said nation and privileges thereof, especially ordaining that whatsoever person resident or remaining within the parts aforesaid (especially where the said nation keeps staple), intending to use factory or any other trade with the said nation and willing to enjoy the fruit and commodity of the said privileges, in whole or in part, shall give his oath of obedience to the king's majesty and his laws before his highness's conservator resident in the said Low Countries, and shall pay for his interest to the king's majesty's use £10 Flemish; as also shall be ready to underlie all such charges and commandments as shall happen to be directed and come from his highness in the same form and manner as if they were dwelling in Scotland; and whoever refuses to give the said oath and pay the said interest, that they shall be called before the said conservator and upon their refusal or delay deprived to have or enjoy thereafter any benefit of his majesty's subjects, and that none of his majesty's subjects have trade, traffic or use of factory with any of the persons so deprived thereafter under the same pain.