[1581/10/68]¹

Act in favour of Master John Douglas

Our sovereign lord, with advice of three estates of this present parliament, understanding the report of honest and credible persons that Archibald Douglas, natural son to the late James [Douglas], sometime earl of Morton, etc., is resting owed to Master John Douglas, sometime pedagogue to the said Archibald, the sum of 400 merks money for certain furnishing made by the said Master John to him in the parts of France of a long time past; for payment whereof, our said sovereign lord, with advice of the said three estates, assigns of the first and readiest fruits and rents and emoluments of the lands of Pittendreich and others whatsoever which pertained to the said Archibald, or of any part thereof, the sum of 400 merks, together with the sum of 100 merks to be paid as said is, for the support and relief of the said Master John in the long awaiting and suit of payment of his debt aforesaid, and that notwithstanding any gift, disposition or infeftment given or to be given of the said Archibald's lands, rooms or possessions whatsoever, by reason of forfeiture or otherwise, to Patrick [Gray], master of Gray, Patrick [Leslie of Pitcairlie], commendator of Lindores, or any others whose gifts our said sovereign lord and estates aforesaid declare to have no effect to the time of the complete payment of the said sum be made to the said Master John, and ordains letters of publication to be directed hereupon, if need be, in the appropriate form.