[1483/6/7]¹

Judicial proceedings: forfeiture of Alexander Stewart, duke of Albany and James Liddale of Halkerston

In the parliament of our most excellent prince and lord, the lord James III, by the grace of God most illustrious king of Scots, held at Edinburgh, in the tolbooth thereof, on Monday 30 June 1483, before the noble lords David [Lindsay], earl of Crawford, lord Lindsay etc., and Colin [Campbell], earl of Argyll, lord Campbell and Lorne, our said lord the king's justiciars and commissioners for the matters below-written specially constituted to this purpose.

On which day Alexander [Stewart], duke of Albany etc., being often called by a royal summons and the tenor thereof, directed thereon under the testimony of the royal great seal - as lawfully summoned, which was plainly evident from the endorsement of the said summons made by Rothesay herald, sheriff for this purpose, read out there in the open court of parliament - to answer to our said lord the king, or his justiciar, in the present parliament, for his treasonable sending and dispatch of the lord James Liddale, knight, into England with treasonable writings, muniments and instructions towards the treasonable alliance of Englishmen in his treasonable opinion against our lord the king and his kingdom; and for the treasonable receiving, delivering and holding of a pursuivant of the king of England, called Bluemantle, with treasonable writings and instructions of the English; and also for treasonable entry and passage into England without royal licence, for the treasonable inbringing of the said enemies [who are] in England, to the treasonable destruction of the king's person and his realm, done and perpetrated after a royal pardon was earlier graciously granted to him for his great many actions and rebellions against our lord the king and his realm. Which Alexander, duke of Albany, being thus often called and not compearing, the said lord justiciars and commissioners continued the said action to the following day, with continuation of days, in the same form and effect as now is, without prejudice to parties etc.

On the same day James Liddale of Halkerston, knight, being often called by a royal summons and the tenor thereof, directed thereon under the royal great seal - as lawfully summoned, which was plainly evident from the endorsement of the said summons made by Adam Johnston, sheriff of Edinburgh depute, read out there in the present parliament - to answer to our said lord the king, or his justiciar, in the said parliament, for his treasonable entry and passage into England with treasonable writings, instructions and muniments treasonably sent by Alexander [Stewart], duke of Albany etc., to enemies in England; and for treasonable art, part, counsel and assistance given to the said Alexander in the treasonable receiving, delivering and holding of a pursuivant of the king of England, called Bluemantle, with treasonable writings and instructions of our English enemies; and for the treasonable entry and passage into England without royal licence with the said Alexander in his treasonable opinion, and the inbringing of Englishmen, and the destruction of the king's person and his realm. Which Lord James being thus often called and not compearing, the said lords justiciars and commissioners continued the said cause to the following day, with continuation of days, in the same form and effect as now is, without prejudice to parties etc.