[1581/10/54]¹

Approbation of [James Stewart], earl of Arran's proceedings for trial of the murder of [Henry Stewart, lord Darnley], the king, our sovereign lord's dearest father

Concerning the supplication presented to our sovereign lord and his three estates in this present parliament by James Stewart, earl of Arran, lord Aven and Hamilton, making mention that where, for the singular favour and goodwill which he has ever borne and bears, as also the earnest care which he has to the preservation of our sovereign lord's person and estate, the commonwealth and quietness of this realm and punishment of such as unnaturally and traitorously had conspired and executed the odious and treasonable murder of his majesty's late dearest father, he was moved, according to his oath and bound duty to his highness, to accuse, challenge and dilate, in presence of his majesty and lords of secret council for the time, upon sure knowledge, the late James [Douglas], sometime earl of Morton and Master Archibald Douglas, sometime parson of Glasgow, to have been art and part and upon the foreknowledge and concealing of the said treasonable murder; for the more clear trial whereof, he was also moved not only to use menacing and boasting words, but also some hard and rigorous handling of sundry persons, through which at last the truth was manifest and the said late earl was found, tried and declared guilty of the said treasonable crime, and for the same justly and worthily executed to the death; likewise the said Master Archibald, knowing himself guilty of the said treasonable crime and fearing the like punishment, fled out of this realm and yet remains fugitive; wherefore the king's majesty and three estates of this present parliament, considering the circumstances of the said Earl of Arran's proceeding in this case, finds and declares that the accusation, dilating and following forth of the trial of the said sometime Earl of Morton and Master Archibald Douglas concerning the said odious murder, and all things following thereupon, he has worthily, duly and diligently used and executed the commissions given to him by his majesty in that behalf, as also has done good, true, honourable and acceptable service to his highness and a common benefit to the whole realm, meriting an honest reward and recompense thereof, which his majesty promises in the word of a prince to give and convey to him, how soon his highness may in any way have the commodity thereto. And also his majesty and estates aforesaid decree and ordain that for the causes aforesaid, the said Earl of Arran, nor his heirs, shall not be called nor accused, nor incur any hurt, pain or danger thereupon in their persons, lands or goods, notwithstanding any laws, acts or statutes made or to be made in the contrary, exonerating them of all pain and danger that they may incur thereupon for ever.