[1578/7/26]¹

The pacification granted to John Cranston of Moriston

Our sovereign lord, with advice and consent of the three estates of parliament, for good considerations moving his highness tending to the furthering and establishing of peace and quietness and universal obedience of his highness's authority, has given and granted and, by the tenor of this present act, with advice and consent aforesaid, gives and grants to John Cranston, lawful son to Cuthbert Cranston of Thirlestane Mains, the same grace, benefit, privilege, favour and conditions as are contained in the pacification made and agreed upon at Perth on 23 February 1572 [1573] between his highness's commissioners on the one part and the late George [Gordon], earl of Huntly and certain others, his colleagues, on that other part, ratified and approved in his highness's parliament held at Edinburgh, [30] April 1573, and that the said pacification and approbation thereof in parliament be as largely extended in favour of the said John and his heirs for safety of their lives, lands and goods as if the said John were specially comprehended and contained therein, notwithstanding the pretended process of forfeiture administered and given against the said John in the month of [...] 156[...], for certain crimes of treason and lese-majesty committed by him, as at more length is contained in the same; which process and doom of forfeiture, with all that followed thereupon, our said sovereign lord and three estates of parliament rescind, withdraw, repeal, annul, restore and make new the said John Cranston fully against the same and to his honours, fame and dignity likewise and as freely in all respects as he was before the administering of the said process; and also decree and declare this present act of pacification to be as valid and sufficient in the self in all time hereafter for restoring of him to his full right of the said lands and estate of his person, as if the said sentence of forfeiture had been reduced by a special summons, all parties having interest being specially called thereto; and declare also the said process of forfeiture of no value in all time coming, in so far as the same may be extended in the contrary of the said John; and that this act be extended in ample and due form as appropriate, providing that this act contain no pardon, favour nor grace for the murder of [Henry Stewart, lord Darnley], our sovereign lord's late father, and [James Stewart, earl of Moray and Matthew Stewart, earl of Lennox], his two regents; and in case they be found culpable thereof, that then in that case the benefit of this present act and restitution, now as then and then as now, to have been and to be of no value, force nor effect.