The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, K.M. Brown et al eds (St Andrews, 2007-2024), date accessed: 28 March 2024
[1585/12/15]1
An act against leagues and bonds
Forasmuch as there was an act made of before in the regiment of the late Mary [of Guise], queen dowager and regent of this realm, our sovereign lord's grandmother of worthy memory, concerning leagues and bonds as being thought against all law and obedience of subjects towards their princes, which act, since the making, has not been well observed, it has given occasion in a part of many troubles that have occurred since; therefore our sovereign lord, with advice of his three estates convened in this present parliament, ratifies, approves and, for his successors, perpetually confirms the said act of parliament and ordains the same to have full effect and execution in time coming; and also of new, with advice of his said three estates, discharges and annuls all leagues and bonds made between his lieges and subjects in time past preceding the date hereof, and statutes and ordains that in time coming [no]2 leagues and bonds be made amongst his subjects of any degree upon whatsoever colour or pretence without his highness's or his successors' privity and consent had and obtained thereto, under the pain to be held and executed as movers of sedition and unquietness, to the break and trouble of the public peace of the realm, and to be called and pursued for that with all rigour in example of others.
- NAS, PA2/13, f.36r.
- 'all' in manuscript.