[A1585/7/1]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
[A1585/7/2]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
We, the nobility and estates presently convened, understanding the course of the present proceedings in foreign parts and that diverse princes and potentates terming themselves Catholics have joined themselves under the Pope's authority in a most unchristian confederacy against the true religion and professors thereof, with full intent to prosecute their ungodly resolution with all severity, not only within their own states and dominions, but also in other places and kingdoms where they can pretend no lawful power nor authority to deal a practise of long projected thought heretofore cunningly conducted, and now at last by open and joint forces of so many confederates plainly manifested to the world what has been always intended by former covert and crafty courses, which now that have begun to put in execution in diverse places, with very hard effects; and since it has pleased God of his infinite mercy to bless this realm with the sincerity of his holy Gospel, the defence whereof is the most just and lawful cause that Christians can maintain, nothing is more requisite than not only to unite ourselves sincerely and truly and join our whole powers, forces and means which God has granted to us under our most religious and most Christian sovereign for the better assurance of our own state and more peaceable enjoying of so great a benefit of God, but also for withstanding of so pernicious and dangerous a course generally intended against all true professors of the truth, it is necessary that a general league and Christian confederacy of all princes and states sincerely professing the evangel were opposed to the ungodly conspiracy of the enemies of God's truth, and especially that the two crowns of Scotland and England (naturally joined by blood and habitation of one religion and thereby alike subject to the malice of the common enemy by whose union no less surety may be expected to both their estates than danger by their division) were inseparably united by more firm and strict league than has been heretofore between any princes, their progenitors, as well for the preservation of themselves as for the better maintenance of the true, ancient and Christian religion which they now profess against all that shall attempt anything against them or either of them for the profession and maintenance of the said religion, we, therefore, the nobility and estates undersubscribing, considering the great and urgent necessity of the said league and how the same may no longer be protracted, nor without peril deferred to a more solemn convention of the whole estates in parliament, and reposing ourselves upon the singular discretion, wisdom and circumspection and most earnest zeal borne by the most noble and mighty prince, King James VI, our sovereign lord, to the advancement of the said religion and maintenance thereof, have, therefore, for us and in name and on behalf of the whole estates of this realm, whose body in this convention we represent, fully given and granted, likewise by the tenor hereof, we, for us and in name aforesaid, give and grant to our said sovereign lord, his council or such thereof as his majesty shall choose, our full power, privilege, assent and authority whatsoever competent to us and estates aforesaid, to treat or cause to treat, confer, contract, end and conclude the said Christian league and all points, heads, clauses and articles thereof between his majesty and [Elizabeth I], his highness's dearest sister and cousin, the queen of England, and to nominate and appoint commissioners to that effect, and to meet at such time and place as his highness shall agree to, with commissioners to be directed from his said dearest sister of similar rank and honour, whose election, nomination and instructions we have remitted and hereby do remit to our said sovereign lord. And whatsoever his majesty shall agree to, and whatsoever the said commissioners shall promise, contract, indent, subscribe or seal toward the said league and articles thereof, agreeing with their instructions, we, for us and in name aforesaid, now as then and then as now, ratify, approve and affirm and, by the tenor hereof, by our greatest and solemn oaths upon our faith and truth, promise to allow, approve, ratify and confirm by our consents in the next parliament, without question or contradiction whatsoever, providing always the said league be without infringing or prejudice in any sort to any former league or alliance between this realm and any other old friends and confederates thereof, except only in matters of religion, whereupon we do fully consent the league be defensive and offensive, and do solemnly avow in quarrel and maintenance thereof neither to spare lives, houses, goods, gear or whatsoever it has pleased God to grant to us. In witness whereof, in presence of his highness, we have subscribed this act with our hands at St Andrews, 31 July 1585. It is thus subscribed, [James Stewart, earl of] Arran, [Robert Stewart, earl of] March, [John Graham, earl of] Montrose, [John Stewart, earl of] Atholl, [Andrew Leslie, earl of] Rothes, [George Keith, earl] Marischal, P[atrick Adamson, archbishop of] St Andrews, Ro[bert Montgomery, archbishop of] Glasgow, Peter Rollock, b[ishop] of Dunkeld, [Sir John Maitland of] Thirlestane, [Lawrence Oliphant, lord] Oliphant, P[atrick Gray], l[ord] Gray, [Patrick Gray], master of Gray, Henry [Sinclair], lord Sinclair, James Stewart, [Andrew Wood of] Largo, comptroller, A[lexander] Hay [of Easter Kennet], clerk register, [Robert Keith, commendator of] Deer, [William Erskine, commendator of] Dryburgh, [Alexander Colville, commendator of] Culross, [Henry Kinnear, commendator of] Balmerino, [Walter Reid, commendator of] Kinloss, [William Stewart, commendator of] Pittenweem, [Patrick Leslie of Pitcairlie, commendator of] Lindores, [Walter Stewart, commendator of] Blantyre, [William] Lundie of that Ilk, [Robert Fairlie of] Braid, [John Erskine], laird of Dun, Henry Nisbet, commissioner for Edinburgh, George Heriot, commissioner for Edinburgh, Robert Forrester of Boquhan, provost of Stirling, commissioner of the said burgh, William Norwell, commissioner of Stirling, Patrick Learmonth of Dairsie, commissioner of St Andrews, Alexander Scrimgeour, commissioner of Dundee, William Duncan, commissioner of Dundee, George Cochrane, commissioner of Ayr, James Cockburn, commissioner of Haddington, Robert Rowat, commissioner of Glasgow, John Kirkcaldy, commissioner for Kinghorn, J[ohn] Anderson, commissioner for Cupar, Robert Hay, commissioner of Kirkcaldy, John Ramsay, commissioner for Crail.