[A1572/11/2]* [print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†The which day the estates and others above-written, being convened in council, entered in deliberation toward the present estate of the realm, now being destitute of a governor through the death of the late John [Erskine], earl of Mar, lord Erskine, late regent to our sovereign lord, his realm and lieges, his highness being yet minor and unable to administer in his own person, having respect to the acts of parliament concerning his highness's coronation and constitution of the regiment of the realm during his majesty's minority, and of [Mary], the queen, his mother's commission, made and subscribed the time of the demission of the crown in his favour, considering the same with good deliberation, the said lords of the nobility, pre[lates], commissioners of burghs and estates above-written find and dec[lare] the said commission to be in the self good, valuable and sufficient, a[nd] that the whole number of the noblemen mentioned therein, or any four, three, two or one of them, professing and acknowledging our sovereign lord's authority, the remainder or the most part of them refusing or having just cause of excuse, may accept upon them the said commission and office of regency to our sovereign lord, his realm and lieges, and may use and exercise the said office by virtue of the said commission as freely and lawfully as any other governors or regents of this realm have used the same office in time past, preceding the date hereof. And first of all, agreed that one is more convenient to rule and govern in the king's majesty's minority than more; secondly, all promised and gave their solemn oaths to obey the person that should happen to be chosen to that place; and lastly, the noblemen present gave their oaths that whosoever should happen to be chosen to the said office of regency should accept the same and not refuse it.
The which day the said James, earl of Morton was elected to the said office of regency to our sovereign lord, his realm and lieges during his majesty's minority, by plurality of votes of the said estates and others above-written. After which election, the said Morton agreed to underlie and accept the said charge and office of regency, and to the effect that a uniform concurrence may be between him and the nobility in the setting forth of the glory of God and governing of the affairs of the commonwealth, they, with one mind and assent, are agreed and condescended mutually to the articles following.