[1569/2/6]¹

Procedure: commission for pursuit of the earl of Huntly

Commission for resisting and pursuit of [George Gordon], earl of Huntly

The which day, in presence of [James Stewart, earl of Moray], my lord regent's grace, and lords of secret council, compeared John [Stewart], earl of Atholl, lord of Balvenie; Robert [Douglas], earl of Buchan; William [Keith], master of Marischal; Andrew [Hay], master of Erroll; Alexander [Abernethy], lord Saltoun; John [Lyon], lord Glamis; John [Stewart], lord Innermeath; Laurence [Oliphant], lord Oliphant; Sir John Wishart of Pittarrow, knight; Master James Haliburton, provost of Dundee; William Leslie of Balquhain; Alexander Forbes of Pitsligo; Arthur Forbes of Balfour; John Ogilvie of Inverquharity; Alexander Bannerman of Waterton; John Calder of Asloun; William Cumming of Inverallochy; John Forbes of Towie; Peter Hay of Megginch; and Alexander Blair of Balthayock; and expounded and declared how they had continued faithful and obedient subjects to our sovereign lord and his authority, for which cause they, their lands, areas and possessions were and are in utter peril and danger to be invaded and pursued with fire, sword and all other kind of hostility by George, earl of Huntly, his assistants and accomplices, rebellious and disobedient subjects against our sovereign lord and his authority foresaid, requiring therefore that remedy be provided. My lord regent's grace, with advice of the lords of secret council, in our sovereign lord's name and authority, gives, grants and commits full power, authority, special commandment, express bidding and charge to the persons above-written, and every one of them, to convocate themselves, their kin, friends, assisters and partakers in war-like manner, and to resist, defend and oppose the pursuit, invasion and just violence of the said earl of Huntly, his accomplices, partakers and all other opposers of our sovereign lord's authority; or, if need be, to pursue them, assuage their houses, raise fire and use all kind of war-like engine, for which the said persons, nor no others of our sovereign lord's lieges assisting them, shall incur any harm or danger in their persons, lands, or goods, nor shall they be called or accused for the same criminally or civilly in any manner of way in time coming, notwithstanding any laws, acts, ordinances or charges in the contrary or any pains contained therein, with which my lord regent's grace, in our sovereign lord's name, dispenses by this present act, discharging them simply of the same in time coming; this present commission is to endure during the will of our sovereign lord and his regent foresaid.