[1597/11/69]¹

Ratification to the town of Jedburgh²

Our sovereign lord, understanding that the burgh of Jedburgh nearest adjacent to the border of England was by his highness's most noble predecessors for worldly considerations erected in a free burgh regal, endowed with the common lands and all privileges belonging and appertaining to a free burgh regal as being a most necessary refuge to his highness's subjects upon the border both in time of peace and war, for resisting of the incursions and invasions of the enemies and for policy and good order to be maintained therein, as in the infeftments made thereupon of old, but specially in the last infeftment granted by Mary, queen of Scotland in the year of God 1556, at more length is contained. According to the which, the provost, bailies, council and community of the said burgh have been in continual and peaceable possession of the same burgh as a free burgh regal, with all privileges, community and common lands pertaining thereto as freely as any other burgh regal within this realm has been at any time heretofore. And his highness, being of the like good intention towards the welfare and maintenance of the said burgh as any of his predecessors were of old, his majesty, with advice of the estates and body of this present parliament, has ratified, approved and confirmed and presently ratifies, approves and confirms the said infeftment of creation and erection of the said burgh with all privileges, immunities, freedoms, communities and common lands belonging thereto with whatsoever infeftment made thereof of before, and wills the same rest and remain with the inhabitants of the said burgh present and to come and their posterity as valid and sufficient titles whereby they may possess their said burgh. And of new his highness, with advice foresaid, erects, creates and incorporates the same burgh with the foresaid liberties and privileges in a free burgh regal and to be as freely held and enjoyed by the inhabitants thereof in time coming as any others of his principal burghs have been held heretofore, and ordains publication to be made hereupon in due form as appropriate.