The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, K.M. Brown et al eds (St Andrews, 2007-2024), date accessed: 29 April 2024

[1587/7/43]1

Concerning accusation in crimes of treason

2Forasmuch as the crime of treason is most odious and deserves the highest punishment in all persons culpable thereof, so on the other part the malicious accusers of innocent persons are not to be credited but severely punished, therefore it is statute and ordained by or sovereign lord and three estates of this present parliament that whoever accuses another person of treason, the party calumniated being called, accused and acquitted of the said crime of treason, his accuser shall incur the same crime of treason whereof he accused the other.

  1. NAS, PA2/13, f.96v.
  2. 'V.' written in margin.