The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, K.M. Brown et al eds (St Andrews, 2007-2024), date accessed: 17 April 2024
[1579/10/16]1
Judicial proceeding: summons of treason; forfeiture
Forisfactura Joannis Hammilton, commendatarii de Abirbrothok, Claudii Hammiltoun, commendatarii de Paislay, et aliorum etc.
2The quhilk day Maister Robert Creychtoun, advocat to oure soverane lord, askit instrumentis that he instantlie producit, as he did of befoir upoun the xxj day of October last bipast, ane summondis of tressoun dewlie execut and indorsat aganis Johnne, commendatair of Abirbrothok, Claude, commendatair of Paislay, James Hammiltoun of Wodhouslie, callit James of Bothuilhauch, Johnne Hammiltoun, provest of Bothuill, Gawin Hammiltoun of Reploch, Robert Hammiltoun of Dalserf, David Hammiltoun of Monktoun Manis, James Muirheid of Lauchop, Johanne Hammiltoun of Schawtoun, Andro Hammiltoun of Helyes, Robert Hammiltoun in Lethame, Johnne Hammiltoun of Kilbwy, Robert Balfour, bruther to Sir James Balfour, sumtyme of Pettindreich, knyght, Alexander Baillie and James Baillie, sonnis to Alexander Baillie of Litilgill, for certane crymes of tressoun and lesemajestie committit be thame and everie ane of thame for the causis pertenit in the saidis summondis raisit thairupoun as at mair lenth is contenit in the samyne, of the quhilkis, the tennor followis:
Jacobus Dei gracia rex Scotorum dilectis nostris leoni regi armorum, Ilay Albanie Ross Rothesay Snawdoun Merchemond heraldis, Gulihelmo Brysoun, Gilberto Thornetoun, Archibaldo Douglas, Joanni Fergusone, Clavigeris Ormond Bute Unicorne Carrik signiferis, Wilhelmo Forsyth Joanni Somirvill nunciis, et eorum cuilibet coniunctim et divisim vicecomitibus nostris in hac parte salutem. Mandamus vobis et precipimus quatenus summoniatis legittime et peremptorie coram testibus Joannem Hammiltoun commendatarium de Abirbrothok Claudium Hammiltoun commendatarium de Paisley Jacobum Hammiltoun de Wodhouslie alias Jacobum de Bothuilhauch nuncupatum Joannem Hammiltoun prepositum de Bothuill eius fratrem Gavinum Hammiltoun de Reploch Robertum Hammiltoun de Dalserf Davidem Hammiltoun de Monktoun Manys Jacobum Mureheid de Lauchop, Joannem Hammiltoun de Schautoun, Andream Hammiltoun in Helyis Robertum Hammiltoun in Lethame Joannem Hammiltoun de Kilbowy Robertum Balfour fratrem germanum Jacobi Balfour olim de Pettindreich militis Alexandrum Baillie juniorem de Litilgill Jacobum Baillie eius fratrem personaliter si eorum personales presentias commode habere poteritis alioquin apud loca eorum inhabitationum vel per publicam proclamacionem apud cruces forales burgorum nostrorum de Edinburgh Lynlythgw Striveling Lanerk Forfair aliaque loca necessaria degentes vero seu existentes extra regnum nostrum seu nullum certum domicilium in eodem habentes apud dictas cruces forales aliaque loca necessaria super premonitionem sexaginta dierum sic quod huiusmodi summonitio ad eorum aures et notitiam verisimiliter pervenire poterit, quod compareant coram nobis seu justiciario nostro vigesimo primo die mensis Octobris proxime future in nostro parliamento apud Edinburgh vigesimo die mensis antedicti inchoando hora causarum cum continuatione dierum ad respondendum nobis nostroue justiciario in prefato parliamento dictas viz personas et earum quamlibet pro earum proditoriis conspiratione consultatione tractatione et deliberatione super nefanda et detestabili nece et murthura quondam charissimi avunculi nostri Jacobi moravie comitis domini Abirnethie nobis regno ligeisque nostris pro tempore regentis in mense Januarii anno Domini millesimo quingentesimo sexagesimo nono diversisque aliis temporibus in castro et villa de Hammiltoun variisque locis circumiacentibus, atque adeo pro eorum arte parte auxilio favore et assistentia per eos et eorum quemlibet prestitis et impensis in predicta proditoria nece et murthura celatione et occultatione eiusdem, quando vero dicte persone in prefatis locis sepenumero consilium inierunt et moliti sunt quibus mediis ingeniove prenominatum nostrum avunculum et regentem interficerent et iugularent. Et tandem certo scientes eum fuisse in burgo nostro de Striviling illinc recta prefecturum vigesimo secundo die eiusdem mensis Januarii per oppidum nostrum de Linlythgw ad burgum nostrum de Edinburgh, statim et sine mora secum concluserunt et decreverunt ipsum transeundo per dictum oppidum de Linlyghtgw ictu bombarde occidere quod exitu eorum processus satis constare potest. Nam eodem die dictus Jacobus Hammiltoun de Wodhouslie sufficienter instructus per prefatos commendatarios ad prosequendum sceleratissimum facinus antedictum ascendebat super equo quodem velocissimo eidem commendatario de Abirbrothok spectante ac se super eodem equo ad dictum oppidum de Linlyghtgw quanta potuit diligentia contulit. Et ibidem tunc hospitium Joanni quondam Sanctiandree archiepiscopo incumbente secreto sub noctis silentio intrauit ubi latuit et se continuo occultavit tanquam in loco maxime idoneo ante electo et parato ad perpetrandum facinus antedictum usque in crastinum ameridie qui erat vigesimus tertius dies eiusdem mensis Januarii. Et tunc videns et prospiciens prefatum nostrum avunculum et regentem nihil mali suspicantem huiusmodi hospitium pretereuntem ipse e gradu anteriori eiusdem ubi interim infidiando stabat bombardam quondam longam duobus globis plumbeis suffultam intendebat et laxabat directe versus eius umbilicum et ventrem quibus duobus globis unico fulmine emissis nobilissimum et innocentissimum ipsius corpus in media sue turbe crudelissime perfossum erat adeo ut brevi eo ipso ictu seu fulmine interiit ad ingens impiorum solatium sed ad gravem bonorum lamentationem et formidabile status nostri discrimen. Quo facinore indigne perpetrato arte dolo et machinatione quibus supra incontinente et sine dilatione idem Jacobus Hammiltoun de Wodhouslie per posticam prefati hospitii et per hortum a parte posteriore eiusdem evasit et ad equum predictum convolavit quem in eodem horto interim ligatum habebat seipsum servandi gratia crimine predicto commisso prout revera properanter eodem scelere perpetrato velocitate eiusdem equi seipsum servavit ac tuto evasit et sic cursum suum continuabat et in eodem diligentissime insistebat semper et usque ad reliquos suos complices antedictos perveniebat qui in partibus dominii de Hammiltoun pro tempore existebant adventum suum expectantes. Quem cum vidissent et fatum illis maxime optatum intellexissent gratanter ipsum acceperunt in ipso flagranti et notorio facinore eumque eorum consortio libenter admiserunt manutenuerunt et sustenuerunt per multos menses continuo post perpetrationem prefati sceleris donec tandem timore punitionis ipse cum dicto Joanne Hammiltoun preposito de Bothuill eius fratre et sceleris socio ad partes ultra marinas auxilio reliquorum conspiratorum predictorum aufugit, hinc prefatam proditoriam murthuram super se acceptando. In verificationem premissorum quondam Arthurus Hammiltoun in Myrritoun (qui penultimo die mensis Maii ultime elapso pro suis proditoriis criminibus mortem subiit in dicto burgo nostro de Striveling) palam confessus est in eodem burgo non solum per aliquot dies ante eius accusationem et hoc in presentia quorundam dominorum nostri secreti consilii ad eius declarationem audiendam per nos directorum sed etiam in ipso accusationis tempore atque adeo in ipsa scena tempore sue executionis quod dicti commendatarii erant de consilio prefate proditorie murthure dicti nostri avunculi et regentis et quod dictus Jacobus Hammiltoun de Wodhouslie obtinuit infeosamentum centum librarum terrarum de Monktoun pro perpetratione huiusmodi nefandi sceleris in quibus dictus commendatarius de Abirbrothok infeodatus erat, et quod hec omnia didicit et intellexit a prefato Claudio commendatario de Paislay per eius expressum narrationem in nemore de Hammiltoun post decessum dicti nostri avunculi et regentis affirmando tunc temporis et loci dicto quondam Arthuro quod nunquam inquietaret dictum Jacobum Hammiltoun de Wodhouslie in sua possessione prefatarum terrarum de Monktoun eo que satis care easdem lucratus erat. Et ideo dictos conspiratores ad audiendum et videndum se et eorum quemlibet intuitu premissorum crimen lesemajestatis incurrisse per nos et trium regni nostri statuum decretum decerni et declarari. Secundo dictas personas et earum quamlibet pro suis proditoriis arte parte consilio auxilio assistentia et ratihabitione per eas et earum quamlibet prestitis et exhibitis in turpissima sua nefanda et premeditata conspiratione adversus nos nostrumque charissimum avum quondam Matheum comitem de Lennox dominum Dernlie etc. nobis regnoque et ligeis nostris pro tempore regentem diversis vicibus in fine mensis Augusti et in initio mensis Septembris anno Domini millesimo quingentesimo primo, quando vero dicti conspiratores tunc proditorie detentores castri nostri et burgi de Edinburgh contra nos authoritatemque nostram regiam ibidem moliti sunt tractaverunt consilium inierunt deliberaverunt et finaliter concluserunt sua authoritate manus violentes in nos dictumque nostrum avum et regentem ac alios nostri secreti consilii dominos officiarios et fideles subditos nobiscum pro tempore in castro nostro et burgo de Striveling existentes ubi nos cum tribus regni nostri statibus tunc eramus ratione parliamenti nostri in pretorio dicti burgi de Striveling inchoati sed minime finiti iniicere. Et (ut suum hoc sceleratissimum propositum facilius ad effectum perduceretur) iidem ipsi conspiratores cum suis complicibus ad numerum quadringentorum hominum aut eocirca more bellico accincti cum loricis galeris calybeis gladiis pugionibus scutis bombardis bombardulis lanceis lanceolis securibus aliisque instrumentis et belli machinis tertio die dicti mensis Septembris anno supradicto sese in unum omnes conferebant in dicto burgo nostro et castro de Edinburgh ad prosequendum illud quod probabiliter inter eos conclusum fuit et hoc in vindictam legis ex eo quod illi fere omnes pro suis maleficiis antea proditores declarati erant. Et sic videntes seipsos sufficienter armatos et bene ordinatos ad perimplendum dictum suum proditorium conatum profecti sunt eadem nocte ad dictum burgum nostrum de Striveling et quamprimum ad prefatum burgum pervenissent quod erat quarto die eiusdem mensis Septembris summo mane et in ipso diluculo irruerunt et milites suos stipendiarios per singulos per singulos eiusdem burgi vicos statuerunt et locaverunt ne ullus exiret aut prospiceret. Et tunc putantes se esse in tuto alii eorum ad spoliandum, nonnulli ad occidendum inciperunt prout revera antequam illis resistere poteramus multos bonos nostros subditos ruptis edificiis bonis suis spoliaverunt, quamplurimos etiam somno sepultos et vix bene suscitatos summa cum atrocitate occiderunt, signanter quondam Alexandrum Stewart apparentem de Garleis Georgium Ruthven precentorem de Dunkeld Jacobum Douglas Alexandrum Lyndsay Harbertum Eldar Patricium Schort Robertum Bell et Alexandrum Hume cum diversis aliis. Sed predicti conspiratores nondum contenti neque saciati sanguine innocenti predicto ulterius processerunt ad horribilem interfectionem nostrorum procerum, et ideo dictum nostrum avum et regentem postquam eum captiuum detinuerunt crudeliter et proditorie ictu bombardule interfecerunt, hinc manifestissime committendo detestabile et minus naturale paricidium ex precogitata felonia et data opera contra omne ius divinum et humanum et contra omnem iuris ordinem. Preterea iidem ipsi notorii et conuicti proditores perseverantes in sua barbara ferocitate et consueta crudelitate festinaverunt sese ad trucidandum reliquos nostros proceres, et ad illum effectum hospitia eorum in quibus sese defendebant circum circa ex omni parte oppugnabant semper et usque terribili incendio Januarum suarum eos egredi cogerunt et in eorum sanguinolentas manus seipsos committere presertim fidissimos consanguineos et consiliarios nostros Jacobum comitem de Mortoun Dominum de Dalkeyth etc. cancellarium, et quondam Alexandrum comitem de Glencarne Dominum de Kilmaweris cum multis aliis quos proculdubio similiter occidissent et iugulassent postquam capti erant, nisi domestici nostri dicti castri de Striveling cum nonnullis aliis fidelibus nostris legeis se in unum convenissent armati, atque ad procerum nostrorum auxilium et sublevamen citius properassent, quod tandem fecerunt, atque dictos conspiratores grandium bombardarum fulminibus, et armorum vi fugam capere compulerunt. In verificationem premissorum, capitanei sui mercenarii Bell et Calder in ipsa fuga capti erant, qui incontinenti de prefatis proditoriis criminibus convicti dignas brevi mortis penas luebant. Et ideo dictos conspiratores ad audiendum et videndum se et eorum quemlibet intuitu premissorum crimen lesemaiestatis incurrisse per nos et trium regni nostri statuum decretum decerni et declarari. Tertio, dictas personas et earum quamlibet pro suis proditoriis suffultione munimine et detentione per se aliosque eorum nomine ex suis causatione, mandato, assistentia et ratihabitione, castrorum de Hammiltoun et Draffen contra nos nostramque authoritatem regiam continuo a diebus sequentibus respectiue usque ad dies subseqentes respective hoc est, dicti castri de Hammiltoun continuo a quinto die mensis Maii ultime elapso inclusive usque ad decimum nonum diem eiusdem exclusiue, ac dicti castri de Draffen continuo a sexto die prefati mensis Maii inclusive usque ad decimum sextum eiusdem exclusive. Non obstante quod vigore aliarum literarum nostrarum Joanni Calder, Bute signifero, tanquam officiario et vicecomiti nostro in hac parte specialiter constituto directarum, legitime mandati fuerit dictis quinto et sexto diebus prescripti mensis maii respective, ad reddendum deliberandum et patefaciendum eadem ipsa castra et hoc incontinenti sine ulla dilatione executori prefatarum literarum sub pena proditionis et lesemaiestatis, prout in eisdem nostris literis earumque executionibus latius continetur nostris tamen mandatis et requisitionibus spretis et contemptis prenominata castra proditorie recusarunt reddere deliberare et patefacere dicto nostro officiario executori pro tempore prefatarum literarum, sed eadem ipsa castra expresse contra tenorem prefatarum nostrarum literarum proditorie detinuerunt per se aliosque eorum nomine ex suis causatione mandato assistentia et ratihabitione ut prefatur continuo a dictis quinto et sexto diebus prefati mensis Maii inclusive et respective usque ad dictos decimum sextum et decimum nonum dies eiusdem mensis Maii exclusive et respective donec tandem vi armorum et timore propugnationis cedere et prescripta castra deliberare compulsi erant in magnum subditorum nostrorum dispendium legum violationem et nostre authoritatis contemptum. Et super predictis et aliis quamplurimis rebellionibus transgressionibus et aliis proditoriis criminibus per prenominatos conspiratores contra nos regnum nostrum et authoritatem regalem impie et nefarie perpetratis. Et dictis die et loco cum continuatione dierum proponendis et ostendendis ac iuri parendum, et super huiusmodi iudicium nostrum et parliamenti secundum leges regni nostri expectandum et subeundum, dictos viz conspiratores ad audiendum et videndum sese et eorum quemlibet intuitu premissorum crimen lesemaiestatis incurrisse per nos et trium regni nostri statuum decretum decerni et declarari. Et propterea ipsorum bona mobilia et immobilia tam terras quam officia, aliasque res ad eos spectantes nobis confiscari, et pro perpetuo nobiscum in proprietate remanere, personasque suas poenam proditionis et ultimi supplicii a regni nostri legibus inflictam subire. Et ulterius in premissis respondendum ac iuri parendum intimando supradictis conspiratoribus et eorum cuilibet quod sive dictis die et loco cum continuatione dierum comparuerint sive non nos dictusque noster justiciarius in premissis justicia mediante procedemus et procedet. Et presentes literas debite executas et indorsatas earundem latori reddatis. Et vos qui presentes executi fueritis, sitis ibidem dictis die et loco coram nobis seu dicto nostro justiciario portantes vobiscum vostre summonitionis testimonium in scriptis pro premissis seu ipsos testes. Ad quod faciendum vobis et vostrum cuilibet coniunctim et divisim vicecomitibus nostris in hac parte committimis potestatem. Datum sub testimonio nostri magni sigilli apud Edinburgh vigesimo septimo die mensis Junii anno Domini millesimo quingentesimo septimo uno et regni nostri duodecimo.
Followis the executionis and indorsationis of the saidis summondis upoun the xxvij day of Julii, being Monunday and mercat day of the burgh of Edinburgh, the yeir of God jM vC lxxix yeiris:
I, Johnne Calder, Bute pursevant, schireff in that part within constitute, past at command of thir oure soverane lordis lettres to the mercat croce of the said burgh, as the heid burgh of this realme, and thair, be oppin proclamatioun, I lauchfullie and peremptourlie, with sound of trumpett and displayit coitt of armes, summanit Johnne, commendatair of Abirbrothok, Claude, commendatair of Paislay, James Hammiltoun of Wodhouslie, callit James of Bothuilhauch, Johnne Hammiltoun, provest of Bothuil, his bruther, Gawin Hammiltoun of Reploch, Robert Hammiltoun of Dalserf, David Hammiltoun of Monktoun Manys, James Mureheid of Lauchop, Johnne Hammiltoun of Schawtoun, Andro Hammiltoun in Heleyis, Robert Hammiltoun in Lethame, Johnne Hammiltoun of Kylbowie, Robert Balfour, bruther to Sir James Balfour, sumtyme of Pettyndreich, knyght, and this I did at the said croce becaus all the saidis personis wer fugitive and, as I wes credibilly informit, for the maist part furth of this realme, to compeir befoir oure soverane lord or his hienes justice the xxj day of October nixtocum, in his hienes parliament to begyne at Edinburgh, the xx day of the said moneth, in the hour of caus, with continewatioun of dayis, to ansuer to his majestie and his justice in his said parliament upoun the crymes of tressone and lesemajestie within contenit, efter the forme and tennour of this summondis, quhairof I affixt ane copy upoun the mercat croce foirsaid. And this I did befoir thir witnessis: Williame Portuous, Johnne Broun, Williame Forsyth, Johnne Arnot, messingearis, Peter Hewat, writtar, Neill Kaa, his servand. And for the mair witnessing to this my executioun, my signet is affixt and subscrivit with my hand. Sic subscribitur, Johnne Calder, Bute pursevant.
Upoun the penult and last dayis of Julii respective the yeir of God abonewrittin, I, the said Johnne Calder, Bute pursevant and schireff afoir namyt, past at command of thir oure soverane lordis lettres and lauchfullie and peremptourlie summonit Johnne, commendatair of Abirbrothok at his duelling place in the toun of Hammyltoun, quhair his wyf and famely makis residence, Gawin Hammyltoun of Reploch at his duelling place thairof, quhair his wyf and famely makis residence, James Muirheid of Lauchop at his duelling place thairof, quhair his wyf and famely makis residence, James Hammyltoun of Wodhouslie, also Bothuilhauch, and David Hammyltoun of Monktoun Manys at thair duelling places in Bothuilhauch, quhair baith thair wyffis and famely makis thair residence, becaus I could not apprehend ony of the saidis personis personalie, and deliverit ane attentik copy heirof to ilk ane of thair saidis wyffis, quha refusit to resaif the same in thair names; Claude, commendatair of Paislay, at his duelling place thairof, Robert Hammyltoun of Dalserf, at his duelling place thairof, Andro Hammyltoun in Helys, at his duelling place thairof, Johnne Hammyltoun of Kilbowy, at his duelling place thairof, Robert Hammyltoun in Lethame, at his duelling place thairof, Johnne Hammyltoun of Schawtoun, at his duelling place in the Newtoun of Cambuslang, Johnne Hammyltoun, provest of Bothuell, at his duelling place in Bothuellhauch, becaus I culd apprehend nane of thame personalie, and affixt ane attentik copy heirof upoun the principall yet of ilk ane of thair saidis duelling places eftir knoking thairat conforme to the act of parliament, to compeir befoir oure soverane lord and his hienes justice the xxj day of October nixtocum, in his hienes parliament to begyne at Edinburgh, the xx day of the said moneth, in the hour of caus, with continewatioun of dayis, to ansir to his majestie or his justice in his said parliament upoun the crymes of tressone and lesemajestie within contenit efter the forme and tennour of this summondis in all poyntis. And this I did befoir thir witnessis: Johnne Arnot, messinger, Robert Touris. And for the mair witnessing to this my indorsatioun, subscrivit with my hand, my signet is affixt. Sic subscribitur, Johnne Calder, Bute pursevand.
Upoun the first day of August the yeir of God foirsaid, I, the said Johnne Calder, Bute pursevant and schireff in that part afoirwrittin, past at comand of thir, oure soverane lordis lettrez, to the mercat croce of the burgh of Lanerk; and upoun the thrid day of the said moneth and yeir to the mercat croce of the burgh of Air; and upoun the feird day of the said moneth and yeir to the mercat croces of the burrowis of Ruthirglen, Renfrew and cietie of Glasgw; and upoun the sext day of the said moneth and yeir to the mercat croce of the burgh of Striveling; and upoun the sevint day of that ilk moneth and yeir to the mercat croce of the burgh of Linlyghtgw; and be oppin proclamatioun at the mercat croces foirsaidis respective, with displayit coitt of armes, lauchfullie and peremptourlie summonit the saidis Johnne, commendatair of Abirbrothok, Claude, commendatair of Paislay, James Hammyltoun of Wodhouslie, callit James of Bothuilhauch, Johnne Hammyltoun, provest of Bothuell, his bruther, Gawin Hammyltoun of Reploch, Robert Hammyltoun of Dalserf, David Hammyltoun of Monktoun Manys, James Mureheid of Lauchop, Johnne Hammyltoun of Schawtoun, Andro Hammyltoun in Heleyis, Robert Hammyltoun in Lethame, Johnne Hammyltoun of Kilbowy, Robert Balfour, bruther to Sir James Balfour, to compeir befoir oure soverane lord or his hienes justice in his hienes parliament, day and place within contenit, to the effect within mentionat, efter the forme and tennour of this summondis in all poyntis, quhairof I affixt ane attentik copy on ilk ane of the saidis mercat croces. And this I did befoir thir witnessis: Johnne Arnot, messinger, Robert Touris. And for the mair witnessing to this my indorsatioun, subscrivit with my hand, my signet is affixt. Sic subscribitur, Johnne Calder, Bute pursevant.
Upoun the sevint day of September the yeir of God jM vC lxxix yeiris foirsaid, I, the said Johnne Calder, Bute pursevant and schireff in that part within constitute, at command foirsaid, lauchfullie and peremptourlie summonit James Baillie, sone to Alexander Baillie of Litilgill, eldair, at his duelling place of Lammyngtoun becaus I culd not apprehend him personalie, and efter I had knokit nyn tymes at the yett thairof, I affixt ane copy of this summondis thairupoun; and immediatlie thairefter I past to the mercat croce of Lanerk and thair, be oppyne proclamatioun and displayit coitt of armour, lauchfullie and peremptourlie summonit Alexander Baillie of Litilgill, younger, and the said James Baillie, his bruther, to compeir befoir oure soverane lord or his hienes justice the xxj day of October nixtocum in his hienes parliament to be haldin at Edinburgh, the xx day of the samyne moneth, in the houre of caus, with continuatioun of dayis, to ansuer to his hienes or his said justice upoun the crymes of tressone and lesemajestie within contenit, efter the tennour of thir lettrez in all poyntis, quhairof I affixt ane copy upoun the said croce befoir thir witnesses: James Boyd, Rolland Mure. And for the mair witnessing to this my indorsatioun, subscrivit with my hand, my signet is affixt. Sic subscribitur, Johnne Calder, Bute pursevand.
Upoun the tent day of the said moneth of September and yeir abonewrittin, I, the said Johnne Calder, Bute pursevand, lauchfullie and peremptourlie summonit Alexander Baillie, younger, and James Baillie, sonnis to Alexander Baillie of Litilgill, eldair, be oppyne proclamatioun, with displayit coitt of armour, at the mercat croce of Perth to compeir befoir oure soverane lord or his hienes justice in his hienes parliament, day and place within writtin, in the hour of caus, to the effect within mentionat, efter the tennour heirof in all poyntis, quhairof I affixt ane copy on the said mercat croce befoir thir witnesses: Williame Marscheall, messinger, James Boyd, Robert Touris, Andro Broune. And for the mair witnessing to this my indorsatioun, subscrivit with my hand, my signet is affixt. Sic subscribitur, Johnne Calder, Bute pursevand, upoun the nynt day of the said moneth of September, the yeir of God withinwrittin.
I, Johnne Somirvill, messinger, ane uther of the schirreffis in that part within constitute, past at command of thir oure soverane lordis lettrez and lauchfullie and peremptourlie summonit Alexander Baillie of Litilgill, younger, at his duelling place of Seytoun becaus I could not apprehend him personalie, and affixt ane copy of this summondis on the yet thrairof efter nyne tymes knoking thairat; and immediatlie thairefter I summonit the said Alexander Baillie of Litilgill, younger, and James Baillie, his bruther, be oppyne proclamatioun at the mercat croce of Hadingtoun, to compeir befoir oure soverane lord or his hienes justice in his hienes parliament, day and place within contenit, in the hour of caus, to the effect within mentionat, efter the forme and tennour of this summondis, quhairof I affixt ane copy on the said croce befoir thir witnesses: Williame Forsyth, Archibald Turnet. And for the mair witnessing to this my indorsatioun, subscrivit with my hand, my signet is affixt. Sic subscribitur, Johnne Somirvill, messinger.
Upoun the feird day of August the yeir of God jM vC lxxix yeiris, I, Williame Forsythe, messinger and ane of the schireffis in that part within constitute, past at command of thir oure soverane lordis lettrez and lauchfullie and peremptourlie summonit Robert Balfour, bruther to Schir James Balfour, sumtyme of Pettyndreich, knyght, at the said Robertis duelling place of Grange becaus I culd not apprehend him personalie, and deliverit ane copy of this summondis to the said Robertis wyff, quha resavit the samyne in his name. And als that samyne day I past to the mercat croce of Coupar in Fyff, as the heid burgh of the schyre quhair the said Robert duellis, and thair, be oppin proclamatioun, summonit him to compeir befoir oure soverane lord or his hienes justice, day and place withinwrittin, to ansuer upoun the crymes of tressone and lesemajestie within expremit, efter the forme and tennour of this summondis, of the quhilkis I affixt ane copy on the said mercat croce. And this I did befoir thir witnesses: Thomas Mowse, James Cathreis, Cuthbert Young, with utheris divers. And for the mair verificatioun to this my indorsatioun, subscrivit with my hand, my signet is affixt. Sic subscribitur, Williame Forsyth, messinger, with my hand.
Upoun the fyft day of the said moneth of August, the yeir of God abonewrittin, I, the said Williame Forsyth, messinger, schireff in that part foirsaid, past at command of thir oure soverane lordis lettres and lauchfullie and peremptourlie summonit Johnne, commendatair of Abirbrothok at his duelling place of Abirbrothok becaus I culd not apprehend him personalie, and affixt ane copy of this summondis on the yett thairof after I had knokit ten or tuelf knokis thairat; and because, as I wes suirlie informit, the said commendatair wes furth of this realme, I past thairfoir the day foirsaid to the mercat croce of the burgh of Forfair, quhilk is the heid burgh of the schyre quhair his said duelling place is, and thair, be oppyne proclamatioun, lauchfullie and peremptourlie summonit the said commendatair to compeir befoir oure soverane lord or his hienes justice in his majesteis parliament, day and place withinwrittin, to ansuer upoun the crymes of tressone and lesemajestie within expremit, efter the forme and tennour of this summondis in all poyntis, of the quhilkis I affixt ane copy on the said mercat croce, and this I did befoir thir witnesses: Maister Archibald Peyrsoun, Walter Lyndsay, Johnne Wod, messingearis, Balthasar Spens, Cuthbert Young, George Lovell. And for the mair witnessing to this my indorsatioun, subscrivit with my hand, my signet is affixt. Sic subscribitur, Williame Forsyth, messinger, with my hand.
Quhilk summondis, with the executionis and indorsationis thairof, being red in presens of the kingis majestie and thrie estaitis of parliament, first in Latine, thairefter in Scottis, and the haill personis, defendaris abonewrittin, being callit sindrie tymes at the tolbuyth wyndo to have comperit and anserit to the saidis summondis and nane of thame comperand, the said advocat, for probatioun of the executionis and indorsationis of the saidis summondis, repetit the depositionis of Johnne Calder, Bute pursevant, Johnn Somirvill and Williame Forsyth, messingearis, Robert Touris, Rolland Mure, James Boyd, Archibald Turnet and Cuthbert Young, witnesses insert in the saidis executionis and indorsationis for preving thairof, and als of new this present day producit the samyne officiaris and witnesses contenit in thair saidis indorsationis, quha, being all personalie present and sworne, declarit be thair aythis that the saidis officiaris and every ane of thame maid the executionis and indorsationis in maner as is abonewrittin, as the samyne beris, upoun the dayis and places respective specifiit thairintill, as the samyne proportis; and siclike the foirsaidis witnesses particularlie abonewrittin inlikemaner maid fayth that they wer present, hard and saw the executionis maid in maner abone specifiit contenit in the saidis indorsationis and wer requirit witnessis be the saidis officiaris respective thairto; and immediatlie thairefter, the foirsaidis haill personis, defendaris, being of new callit at the tolbuyth wyndo and not comperand, the said advocat askit instrumentis that he repetit the lettres gevin undir oure soverane lordis signet relaxand the saidis personis abonewrittin fra the proces of horne, to the effect that they may compeir and defend in the same caus, and of new producit the samyne lettres; and siclike that he, for verifeing of the first heid of his summondis, producit lettrez, quhair the foirsaidis personis, being charget to anser super inquirendis befoir the king and lordis of secreit counsale and for noncomperance at the day appointit, wer denuncit rebellis and put to the horne, quhairby they acceptit the cryme; siclike producit the confessioun of umquhile Arthour Hammyltoun of Mirritoun, with the depositionis of the witnessis sworne and examinat befoir the lordis of articles, and alsua repeitit the notorietie of the deid anent the slauchter of the Erle of Murray; and siclike producit for verificatioun of the secund part of the saidis summondis anent the slauchter of the Erle of Lennox, the saidis lettrez of hornyng, the depositionis of the saidis witnessis and foirfaltour gevin aganis the saidis personis of befoir, and alsua repeitit the notorietie of the deid of the slauchter of the Erle of Lennox; and in likemaner, for verificatioun of the thrid heid of the saidis summondis, producit the lettrez dewlie execut aganis the saidis personis for delivering of the castellis of Hammyltoun and Draffen, with the depositionis of the witnessis, quhilkis he repeitis as of befoir with the notorietie of the deid, and thairupoun askit instrumentis and desyrit further proces in the said mater. And thairefter the saidis personis being of new callit, as of befoir, at the said tolbuyth wyndo and nane of thame comperand, and the summondis being red as said is, with the executionis and indorsationis thairof, with the haill writtis and probationis abonewrittin producit be the said advocat for preving of the haill poyntis and articles contenit in the saidis summondis, and first the lordis of articles being advisit thairwith and now presentlie the kingis grace and thrie estaitis of this present parliament seand and considerand the saidis haill probationis and they thairwith being ripelie avisit, it is fund be the kingis grace and thrie estatis that the haill thrie ressonis of the saidis summondis wer relevant and sufficientlie provin aganis the particuler personis respective abonewrittin, ilk ane for thair awin partis as followis. Heir followis the dome pronuncit be the mouth of Andro Lyndsay, dempstair of this present parliament, lauchfullie chosyne and sworne of befoir to that effect:
This court of parliament schawis for law that the said Johnne, sumtyme commendatair of Abirbrothok, Claude, sumtyme commendatair of Paislay, James Hammyltoun, sumtyme of Bothuilhauch and Johnne Hammyltoun, sumtyme provest of Bothuell, his bruther, and ilk ane of thame respective for thair awin partis, hes committit and done tressone aganis oure soverane lord, upoun the first ressone and article contenit in the said summondis of tressone anent the murthour of the Erle of Murray, as the samyne beiris; and siclike that the said Johnne, sumtyme commendatair of Abirbrothok and Claude, sumtyme commendatair of Paislay hes alsua committit and done tressone anent the last ressone pertenit in the saidis summondis concerning the withhaulding of the castellis of Hammyltoun and Draffen; and inlikemaner findis and declaris that the saidis Claude, sumtyme commendatair of Paislay, Gawin Hammyltoun, sumtyme of Reploch, Robert Hammyltoun, sumtyme of Dalserf, James Mureheid, sumtyme of Lauchop, David Hammyltoun, sumtyme of Monktoun Manys, Johnne Hammyltoun, sumtyme of Schawtoun, Andro Hammyltoun, sumtyme in Heleis, Robert Hammyltoun, sumtyme in Lethame, Johnne Hammyltoun, sumtyme in Kylbowy, Robert Balfour, bruther to Schir James Balfour, sumtyme of Pettyndreich, knyght, James Baillie and Alexander Baillie, sonnis to Alexander Baillie of Litilgill, eldair, and every ane of thame respective for thair awin partis, hes committit and done tressone aganis oure said soverane lord upoun the secund ressone and caus abonewrittin pertenit in the said summondis anent the murthour and slauchter of umquhile Mathew, erle of Levinax, gudesir to oure said soverane lord. For the quhilkis causis, the foirsaidis haill personis abonewrittin, and every ane of thame, hes justly forfaltit thair lyvis, landis, benefices and guidis, movable and unmovable, for ever, and thairfoir decernis and declaris thair dignities, names and memorie to be perpetuallie extinct and thair armes to be put furth of the buik thairof, sua that they and every ane of thair posterities, according to the lawis of this realme, to be fra this furth unable and uncapable to brouk offices, benefices, honouris or dignities within the samyne; and als all thair guidis, landis, heritages, benefices, offices and utheris quhatsumevir pertening to thame, or ony of thame, to be confiscat to remane with oure said soverane lord in propirtie for evir, and they and every ane of thair personis to undirly the pane of tressone and hyest punisment appointit be the lawis of this realme for the causis foirsaidis; and this I gif for dome. Upoun the quhilk declaratioun and pronunciatioun, the said Maister Robert Creichtoun, advocat foirsaid, askit instrumentis.
- NAS, PA2/12, ff.19v-22v.
- A different version of the first part of this summons can be found at NAS, PA2/12, appendix, ff.15v-16r.