The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, K.M. Brown et al eds (St Andrews, 2007-2024), date accessed: 29 March 2024
[A1625/10/23]1
Anent wapponshoweing
Charles R[ex], right trustie and right welbeloved cosens, right reverend fatheris in God and reverend fatheris in God, right trustie and right welbeloved and otheris oure trustie and welbeloved subjectis presentlie assembled in conventioun, we greete you all and everie one of you hartielie weele. Whairas it is not onlie requisite that oure subjectis of that kingdome sould be taught and trayned up in militarie discipline, bot also be provydit of sufficient store of armes of all sortis according to thair severall rankis, to the intent that upoun all occasionis thay may be bothe fitte and reddy for oure service and the defence of thair cuntrey, it is thairfore oure pleasure that you mak intimatioun to everie one befoir a certane day by you to be prefixed to provyde and furnishe himself with suche armour and waponis as salbe enjoyned to everie one according to his rank, under suche penaltyis as you sall think convenient to enjoyne. And whereas the broyle whiche not long since fell out betuix the Hollanderis and Dunkirkeris in the verie haven of Leyth, to oure no small discontentment and publict disgrace of that whole kingdome, hathe gevin ws sufficient prooffe of the necessitie of fortis to defend the havens and townis thairunto adjacent from suddeyne surpryses, it is oure pleasure that you gif order to Sir Andro Gray, generall muster maister of that oure kingdome, to visite all the sea portis thairin with suche diligence as convenientlie may be and to advise and consider of the most convenient places whairupoun to raise bulwarkis and blokhouses for the best defence of the same, of what forme the severall fortificationis salbe and with the advise of skilfull workmen conclude to what chargis the building of everie ane of thaime will extend, and to certifie oure counsell thairof. And that you in the meantyme resolve upoun some solide course how meanis may be furnished for defraying the chargis of the building the saidis fortis to the intent that upoun the report of the said Sir Andro Gray back to oure counsell thay may presentlie gif order to workmen to go in hand with the saidis fortificationis. And this most earnestlie recommending to your speciall care and dispatche, we bid you farewell. Gevin at Sarisburie, the 24 of October 1625.
- NAS, PC1/31, f.72r-v.