The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, K.M. Brown et al eds (St Andrews, 2007-2025), date accessed: 8 July 2025

[1649/5/353]1

Act anent the age of noblemen to sit in parliament

6 August 1649

The estates of parliament, considering how necessary it is that all persons having power of public trust in those great judicatories of parliament and privy council should be of ripe age and experience, sufficiently qualified for the exercise of these places and discharge of that trust to the good of the kingdom, and that such abilities and experience fit for a public charge cannot well be attained to by those who have not attained to the age of 21 years, who are not allowed through their minority to order and govern their own private affairs, it is therefore statute and ordained that no person of whatsoever quality or degree shall be admitted to sit and voice in parliament or privy council unless he be of the age of 21 years at least.

  1. Not in manuscript, but from the printed collection of the acts, The acts done and past in the third session of the second Triennall Parliament of our Soveraigne Lord Charles the II, p.32.