[1587/7/66]¹

For universal concord amongst the king's lieges

²The which day, in presence of the estates presently assembled, the king's majesty stated and declared his godly and most necessary intention to have his nobility and other parties amongst whom variance stands, by occasion of sundry quarrels and controversies lately begun amongst them proceeding from the common troubles and civil wars with which this country has been most heavily plagued, united and reconciled to the pleasure of God, furtherance of his highness's service and common quietness of the whole realm, following the lovable example of his highness's grandfather, King James IV of [good]³ memory, in whose reign it was found expedient by the estates, for universal concord amongst the king's lieges and for love, amity and friendship to be made amongst his highness's lieges, that our sovereign lord and his council shall put his authority, by advice of his said council, to make all persons and parties to be at friendship and concord; and what person or persons refuses in his behalf to hear a reasonable and honourable concord of his party, the king's majesty to put sharp justice on the party which is obstinate, through the which the king's highness may cause them to be in heartily the amity, friendship and quietness with the penalty according to the laws of the realm. Which form and order the said estates think most needful now to be followed by his majesty, most humbly beseeching his majesty to proceed as presently he has worthily begun, to make and procure universal concord amongst his highness's lieges for all and whatsoever quarrels amongst them proceeding from the occasion above-written, promising faithfully of their hands to serve, concur, assist and give their best advice to his majesty at all times in putting of his highness's authority to execution by sharp justice against whatsoever persons that refuse in their default to hear and agree to a reasonable and honourable concord with their parties, according to the effect and meaning of the said act in all points.