Concerning [Archibald Campbell], earl of Argyll and certain other noblemen

Because this act and ordinance is generally extended to all deeds since our sovereign lord's coronation, as also the same is extended to all persons who at any time before this time have assisted to the contrary authority, albeit, by act of parliament held at Stirling in September 1571, Archibald [Campbell], earl of Argyll, Hugh [Montgomery], earl of Eglinton, Gilbert [Kennedy], earl of Cassilis, Robert [Boyd], lord Boyd and a certain space thereafter John [Maxwell], lord Maxwell and John [Maxwell], lord Herries acknowledged our sovereign lord's authority and were received in favour; therefore, that it be provided in the act now to be made that the same be in no manner of way derogative or prejudicial to the said appointment, taken with the said noblemen and every one of them for themselves, their friends, kinsmen, servants, assisters and partakers of before, but that the same remain in the own strength and force, ratifying and approving the same by this act. And further, that notwithstanding the said act now to be made, or any other law or constitution in the contrary, it may be provided and statute that the said noblemen, their friends, kinsmen, servants, assisters and partakers shall never be called, arrested, troubled or pursued, criminally or civilly, for any fact or deed committed by them, or any of them,† assistance given by them to any of our sovereign lord's enemies,† either against our sovereign lord's authority or any other particular person, through their assistance in the common cause of maintenance of the contrary authority or anything depending thereon at any time before their acknowledging of our sovereign lord's authority, but that they, their heirs and successors shall be free, exonerated and acquitted of all action and claim, criminal or civil, which in any manner of way may be competent to our said sovereign lord or his subjects against the said persons; and to discharge the lords of session, the justice and all other judges in common form, †and that conforming to their remissions and appointment made thereupon.†

  1. This act is not included in The Actis of King James the Sext, printed by R. Lekprevick (St Andrews, 1573). 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. A version at NAS, PA6/1, 1572/3 appears to be a draft and may not have been passed by parliament. Back
  2. 'them to whom they assisted' deleted. Back
  3. 'assistance given by them to any our sovereign lord's enemies' has been added in the margin, with 'in the common cause' following but crossed out. Back
  4. Remainder of act written in a different hand. Back
  5. In the margin of PA6/1: '21 January 1572 [1573], agreed by the lords [of the] articles. 26 January 1572 [1573], voted and agreed in parliament.' Back