The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, K.M. Brown et al eds (St Andrews, 2007-2025), date accessed: 15 February 2025
[1661/1/458]1
Act in favors of the hatmakers of Edinburgh
Our soverane lord and estates of parliament, considering that it hath pleased God, by the vertew and industrie of diverse skilfull persons, hatmakers, in thir few yeers within the burgh of Edinburgh to bring that trade and calling to ane greater perfection and more considerable then it hes been in any yeers bygone, wherby the same hes so flurished and groun to ane greater number of workmen more nor hes been in preceiding ages and, for the mantaineing thairof and giveing occasion to workmen to strive daylie to ane greater degrie of perfection in the said calling of hatmaking, and for eshewing of the great hinder and prejudice which may follow by the grouth of unskilfull people therintill throw the occasion of want of good government among them, thairfor his majestie, with advice and consent of his estates of parliament, for the further advanceing of that calling and tread within Edinburgh and the haill kingdome, and for the reformation of disorders therintill, the better serveing of the leidges of this realme and bringing of the said trade to ane greater perfection, gives and grants full power, libertie and priveledge to the said hatmakers of ane overseer and quartermaster yeerly of their oune calling to be elected, nominat, choisen and given to them be the provest, baillies and counsell of the burgh of Edinburgh, which overseer is, be the advice of his brethreen of the trade, to be judge of the qualification of any person to be heirafter admitted to their trade within the toun; and his majestie, with advice and consent forsaid, recommends to the lords of secret councill to sie this act made effectual to the hatmakers to the effect abovewritten.
- NAS. PA2/27, f.89v-90.