[1584/5/46]¹

Ratification of the remission granted to the servants of the late George [Gordon], earl of Huntly

²Our sovereign lord, with advice and consent of his highness's three estates in this present parliament, has ratified and approved and, by the tenor hereof, ratifies and approves the remission underwritten, made, given and granted to the servants of the late George, earl of Huntly, lord Gordon and Badenoch contained therein under the great seal, and decrees and declares the same to have full force, strength and effect in all time coming, of the which the tenor follows.

James etc. Because we, with the advice of the lords of our privy council, recalling our grace and favour formerly extended to our loyal kinsman George, earl of Huntly, lord Gordon and Badenoch, for his full security, remission and restoration, according to the contents of letters granted to him under our great seal, as our letters in this vein of 16 May 1581 more fully purport, and having reliable experience of our kinsman's attitude and obedient affection towards us [...] held and directed towards the commonwealth and tranquillity of our realm, we, tending in that respect [...] favour towards him and for the continuation of the security of his house, friends and servants [...] and wishing that such as they provided for the father of our said kinsman in his lifetime should now remain under peril of our laws considering things which occurred in the turbulent times in our minority [...] mainly in consideration of our grace and favour shown formerly [...] our said kinsman as their master in the lifetime of his son and heir whom they then served. Therefore, with the advice of the said lords of our privy council, we remit our rancour of spirit, royal suit and all action which we have conceived, had, have, might be able to have or claim against Alexander Drummond of Midhope, Robert Bruce, Thomas Kerr, Robert Kerr and Patrick Gordon, household servants of the said late earl, just as they are now servants of the present earl, for art and part in any crimes done or offences committed when the said late earl of Huntly was present and in the area and they were with him for the time being during the recent civil disturbances beginning on 15 June 1567 until the pacification of 23 February 1572 [1573], and for all action and crime which followed thereon which can be imputed to them, notwithstanding any exceptions, reservations therein or any acts of parliament or privy council or other laws, statutes or special or general constitutions already made or to be made which could be extended or interpreted to the contrary, regarding which, on behalf of ourselves and our successors, we make dispensation. At Holyroodhouse, 15 February 1582 [1583], the 16th year of our reign.