Concerning the establishing of the regiment in case at God's pleasure that charge yet becomes vacant during the king's majesty's minority†

Forasmuch as since the coronation of the king's majesty, our sovereign lord, the charge of regiment of his highness, his realm and lieges has been worthily occupied and administered by diverse noblemen, being of the number of them which are nominated and contained in the commission of [Mary], the queen, his highness's mother, made and given the time of the demission of her crown in his majesty's favour, and elected, allowed and approved by the estates of parliament for the time; and now [James Douglas, earl of Morton], my lord regent's grace, and three† estates of this present parliament, considering in how short space so many noblemen, his highness's dearest friends and approved well-wishers, are departed this life, for the most part by violent means of their enemies because of their constant profession and maintenance of the authority of our sovereign lord, so as the number of persons contained in the said commission† now living and remaining obedient to our sovereign lord (being few) may either by natural or violent death at God's pleasure be taken away during his majesty's minority. Yet, to the effect that his highness, his said realm and lieges shall not through any occasion be destitute of regiment, it is therefore found,† declared, statute and ordained by our sovereign lord, with advice and consent of his highness's regent, the three estates and whole body of this present parliament, that how soon and how often it shall happen the regiment of this realm to become vacant during his highness's minority aforesaid, it shall be lawful to the estates convened to elect any one person of the nobility professing the true religion, and that has given proof of his good affection thereto and to the estate of our sovereign lord, liberty, quietness and common benefit of this realm, to the said office and charge of regency; which election, with the acceptance, acts and proceedings of the person or persons to be elected, shall be lawful, perfect and sufficient although they shall not happen to be of the number specified and contained in the said commission.†

  1. The Actis of King James the Sext, printed by R. Lekprevick (St Andrews, 1573), f.9r. Bound with earlier parliamentary material at NLS, Black Acts, 1566-94, H.33.c.21, Scots Acts of Parliament, H.33.c.23 or Scots Acts, H.33.c.25. See also NAS, PA6/1, 1572/3. Back
  2. A version of this act at NAS, PA6/1, 1572/3 appears to be a draft. It is bound with 12 unnumbered folios, which all appear to have been annotated between 19 and 26 January 1572/3. Back
  3. 'three' added in APS but not in PA6/1. Back
  4. 'contained in the said commission' added in APS but not in PA6/1. Back
  5. PA6/1 has 'that is may be found' instead of 'it is therefore found'. Back
  6. In the margin of PA6/1: '20 January 1572 [1573], the lords of the articles have agreed to this act. 26 January 1572 [1573], voted and agreed in parliament.' Back