[A1567/12/19]* [print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Concerning the supplication given in by William Douglas of Lochleven, bearing that [James Douglas], earl of Morton, [John Stewart, earl of] Atholl, [John Erskine, earl of] Mar, [Alexander Cunningham, earl of] Glencairn, the lords [William Ruthven, lord] Ruthven, [Alexander Home, lord] Home, [Patrick Lindsay, lord] Lindsay [of the Byres], [Robert Sempill, lord] Sempill and diverse other honourable barons and gentlemen of this realm on 16 June 1567, by their letters subscribed with their hands, gave command to the said William Douglas, upon his due obedience and as he tenders the common welfare of this realm, his native country, to receive our sovereign lord's mother in keeping within his fortalice and place of Lochleven, as being a place most convenient thereto, and keep her surely therein until further trial be taken concerning the cruel murder and treasonable slaughter of the late Henry [Stewart, lord Darnley], king, spouse to the queen, then our sovereign, and the said William sufficiently exonerated and discharged of her said keeping, as the letters and charge directed by the said earls, lords and noblemen shown in presence of [James Stewart, earl of Moray], my lord regent, and three estates of this realm bear; and therefore desiring our sovereign lord, my lord regent and three estates of this present parliament to give declarator to the said William Douglas of Lochleven that he has done his dutiful diligence in receiving and keeping of our said sovereign lord's dearest mother, and through this, he and his heirs may be free of all action and crime that may be imputed to them thereby, and of any other thing done to her since her coming to the said place and fortalice in respect of her own declaration shown and produced in presence of my said lord regent and whole estates of this present parliament, as the said supplication, writings and charges directed thereupon shown and produced as said is bear. Our sovereign lord, with advice of the said lord regent and three estates and whole body of this present parliament, declares the said letters and charges directed to the said William Douglas of Lochleven in manner above-written, to be duly and reasonably directed and proceeded upon a just, true and sincere ground and, therefore, by judgement of this present parliament, authorises and declares the same to have been duly, well orderly and justly directed upon good causes and considerations. Likewise also our sovereign lord, with advice of my lord regent and three estates of parliament aforesaid, authorises and declares the writings and declaration made by our said sovereign lord's dearest mother on 28 July 1567, declaring that she in no way was treated nor compelled by the said William Douglas of Lochleven, nor any others of his causing, to do anything contrary to her pleasure since her coming to the said place of Lochleven, and therefore ordains the said letters, charges and other writings above-written to be inserted and registered in the books of parliament, to remain therein perpetually for declaration of the said William Douglas's true and just obedience in the said matter; and declares he has done his dutiful duty in complying with, obeying and fulfilling the command and charge above-written, and declares that he, his heirs, successors and posterity are to be harmless and unharmed thereupon for now and ever; and discharges all action and cause, criminal and civil, that may be intended or pursued against them or him for the same, for now and ever, by this present act.