[1593/4/21]¹

²Regarding the disposition of the gifts of escheat, liferent or forfeiture of the earls [William Douglas, earl of] Angus, [George Gordon, earl of] Huntly, [Francis Hay, earl of] Erroll and others contained in the summons of forfeiture executed against them

Our sovereign lord and estates of this present parliament statute, declare and ordain that whatsoever gift of escheat, liferent or forfeiture of [William],³ earl of Angus, George, earl of Huntly, Francis, earl of Erroll, Sir Patrick Gordon of Auchindoun, knight, and other persons specified in the summons of treason depending against them before this present parliament shall happen to fall and become in his majesty's hands and at his disposition through sentence of forfeiture to be pronounced contrary against them or through any other their rebellion and abiding at his highness's horn proceeding upon causes of treason, the same to be granted and conveyed by his majesty, with advice of seven of his ordinary council sitting in judgement, to the effect the utility and profit of their said escheats, liferents or forfeitures may be wholly applied to his highness's proper use, and in any way by inopportune suits or indirect means conveyed and converted to the utility of their wives, bairns, friends or others whatsoever. And in case any of their said escheats shall happen to be granted and conveyed otherwise than by the order before subscribed, decrees and declares the same to be null and of no value, force nor effect, and the nullity to be received as well by way of exception as action.