The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, K.M. Brown et al eds (St Andrews, 2007-2024), date accessed: 28 March 2024
[1605/6/50]1
2An acquittance and discharge to [George Home], earl of Dunbar of the king's jewels and wardrobe
The which day, in presence of the whole estates of parliament, compeared personally Sir Thomas Hamilton of Monkland, knight, advocate to our sovereign lord, in his highness's name produced this acquittance, exoneration and discharge underwritten, made and granted by his highness to his trusty and well-beloved councillor George, earl of Dunbar, lord Berwick, treasurer to his majesty of this realm, and by virtue of the command given to the said lord advocate specified therein desired the same to be ratified and approved by the said estates and to be registered in the books of parliament, to have the strength, force and effect of an act, sentence and decreet of the parliament of Scotland in all time coming; the which desire the said estates thought reasonable and have ratified and approved, likewise by the tenor of this present act, ratify and approve the said acquittance, exoneration and discharge granted by his highness in favour of the said Lord Dunbar in the whole points, articles and clauses thereof after the form and tenor of the same, bearing and containing as is underwritten, and decree and ordain the same acquittance, exoneration and discharge to be acted and registered in the said books of parliament, to have the strength, force and effect of an act, sentence and decreet of the said parliament of Scotland, in all time coming to remain therein for future memory, of the which the tenor follows: James Rex. Forasmuch as upon the long and assured proof of the faithful diligence, care and discretion of our right trusty and well-beloved cousin and councillor the Earl of Dunbar, master of our wardrobe in Scotland, we have justly judged him worthy of greater trust and employment in offices and services of higher credit and importance, wherein himself considering that the weakness and infirmity of his body could not permit him sufficiently to discharge the burden of the said offices, notwithstanding his exceeding willingness and utmost endeavours relating thereto, he therefore humbly requesting us graciously to accept in good part his most willing demission of the said office of master of the wardrobe to the effect that we, making choice of some of our faithful and approved servants, who by their health, age and greater leisure might give us satisfaction in the faithful discharge of the same, our service should not in any sort be disappointed in his default; whereby acknowledging that he preferred the well of our service to a good part of his own commodity and credit and having at his desire, upon the reasonable considerations foresaid, accepted his demission and thereupon provided our trusty and well-beloved servant Sir James Hay, knight, gentleman of our bedchamber, to the office of master of our robes, to whom, according to the charge of his office, the said Earl of Dunbar has at our special direction and command delivered the particular jewels, robes and apparel specified in the said Sir James Hay's ticket of receipt of the same. And because the said Earl of Dunbar has made particular delivery of the jewels after-specified, whereof part are laid in the tower and some other part are contained in the said Sir James Hay's note of receipt: they are to say, the jewel called the H, with the chain thereof and also with the ruby of the same. Item, a jewel of gold with letters J. A. R., crowned, joined together in a knot with a crown over them, fully furnished with diamonds of sundry cuts and bigness with three round pearls pendant. Item, a great ring of gold enamelled set with five diamonds with hand in hand in the middle, called the espousal ring of Denmark. Item, a cap band of gold containing 23 pieces, 12 with two pearls in a piece, 6 with letters garnished with diamonds and 5 with cinques3 of diamonds. Item, a cross of gold set with five diamonds; which, being the jewels of most importance and value that were brought out of that our kingdom with us, and not only they, but all others of our jewels, precious stones, pearls, goldsmith work and others whatsoever which came in the said George, earl of Dunbar's hands and keeping at any time bygone, being all delivered by him out of his hands by our special direction and command, therefore we, for us, our heirs, executors and successors, exonerates, quitclaims, freely, simply and perpetually discharges the said Earl of Dunbar, his heirs, executors and assignees of all and sundry our jewels particularly above-rehearsed for now and ever; and by this letter, faithfully promises in the word of a prince to cause this letter be ratified, confirmed and approved by the estates of our kingdom of Scotland in the next ensuing session of parliament thereof, to whom this our present direction and command shall be a sufficient warrant for ratification of the whole premises, commanding hereby our trusty and well-beloved councillor Sir Thomas Hamilton of Monkland, knight, our advocate, to compear in presence of [John Graham, earl of Montrose], our commissioner, and estates of our said parliament of Scotland, and there in our name to present and deliver this our discharge, to be ratified by our said estates and to be registered in the register of our parliament, to have the strength, force and effect of an act, sentence and decreet thereof in all time coming. In witness whereof we have signed this discharge with our hand at Whitehall, 8 April 1606.
- NAS, PA2/16, f.58v-59r.
- 'P 21' written in margin beside heading.
- Defined in DSL as a setting with five jewels in it.