Anent lesing makaris and authouris of sklanderis

Oure soverane lord, with avise of his estaitis in this present parliament, ratifies and apprevis and for his hienes and his successouris perpetuallie confirmis the act maid be his noble progenitouris King James the first of worthie memorie aganis lesing makaris, the act maid be King James the secund intitulat 'Aganis lesing makaris and tellaris of thame', the act maid be King James the fyft intitulat 'Off lesing makaris', and the act maid be his hienes selff, with avise of his estaitis in parliament, upoun the xxij day of Maii the yeir of God jM vC fourscoir four yeiris, intitulat 'For punisement of the authouris of slanderis and untrew calumnies aganis the kingis majestie, his counsell and procedingis, to the dishonour and prejudice of his hienes, his parentis, progenitouris, crown and estait'; as likwayes the act of his hienes perliament haldin at Linlithgw upoun the tent day of December the yeir of God jM vC fourscoir fyve yeiris intitulat 'Aganis the authouris of slanderous speichis or wreittis'. And statutis and ordanis all the saidis actis to be publeist of new and to be put in executioun in tyme cuming with this additioun: that quha evir hearis the saidis lesingis, calumnies or slanderous speichis or wreittis to be maid, and apprehendis not the authoris thairof, gif it ly in his power, or revelis not the same to his hienes or to ane of his previe counsell or to the schiref, stewart or baillie of the schire, stewartrie or balliarie in regalitie or ryaltie or to the provest or ane of the baillies within burgh, be quhome the same may cum to the knawlege of his hienes or his said privie counsaill, quhairthrough the saidis lesing makaris or authouris of slanderous speichis may be callit, tryit and punissit according to the saidis actis, the heirar and not apprehender, and (gif it ly in his power) conceilar and not reveilar of the saidis lesing makaris and authouris of the saidis sklanderous speichis or wreittis, sall incur the like pane and punisement as the principall offendour.

  1. NAS, PA2/15, f.35r.