[1587/7/28]¹

Procedure: commission

Commission concerning priority of places and voting in parliament

²The king's majesty and three estates of this present parliament give, grant and commit full power and commission to his right trusty cousins, councillors and others underwritten, namely, Archibald [Douglas], earl of Angus, lord Douglas and Abernethy, George [Keith], earl Marischal, lord Keith, Robert [Boyd], lord Boyd, Adam [Bothwell], bishop of Orkney, Master Thomas Lyon of Baldukie, master of Glamis, treasurer, Sir John Maitland of Thirlestane, knight, secretary and vice chancellor, Robert [Keith], commendator of Deer, Sir Lewis Bellenden of Auchnoull, knight, justice clerk, and Alexander Hay of Easter Kennet, clerk register, or any four of them, the said Earl Marischal always being one, to convene, taking with them lyon king of arms or such other heralds as they shall think suitable to call to them, and to consult, try and give their advice, subscribed with their hands, how all the estates of this realm should ride from the king's palace to the parliament house in time of parliament, and toward their sitting and voting for eschewing of the like contention as has occurred in time past. And to that effect, his highness and his said estates give and grant full power and commission to the said noblemen and others above-written, or any four of them, with the said Earl Marischal, to raise letters or direct precepts charging all and sundry earls, lords, barons, prelates and burghs claiming vote in parliament, to bring and produce before them at such days and places as they shall appoint their infeftments, evidences and all other testimonies whereby they claim their dignity, priority and prerogative in parliament, with certification to them that compears not, the said commissioners will compear and administer justice to the compearers according to the age of their said evidences and other reasons and occasions moving them, and the non-compearers to be left last in the roll.