ITEM It is fundin and declarit be the thre Estatis & haill body of this present Parliament, that the dimissioun and ouer geuing of the Crowne, and Regiment of this Realme maid be the Quenis grace, our Souerane Lordis derrest Mother be vertew of hir letters of commissioun and procuratioun subscriuit with hir hand, and vnder hir preuie Seill, of the dait the .xxiiij. day of Julij last bypast, was, and is, and salbe in all tymes cuming haldin, repute, and estemit lauchfull, and perfyte, according to the samin commissioun producit, auysit, and admittit be the saidis thre Estatis. And als that the Coronatioun, and inauguratioun of our said Soverane Lord, Sone to his said derrest mother, and natiue Prince of this Realme, maid and solemnizat conforme to the said commissioun, At Striviling, the xxix. day of the said Moneth of Julij be the Erlis, Lordis, Prelatis, Commissaris of Burrowis, Barronis, and vtheris faithfull and trew subiectis, assemblit and conuenit for that effect, was dewlie, rychtlie, and ordourlie done, and execute, and als lauchfull and vailzeabill in the self in all respectis, and his Maiestie als rychteouslie inuestit, and possessit in this kingdome as his said mother, his guidschir, grandschir, or ony vther his maist nobill progenitouris natiue Princes of this Realme wer, and hes bene of before, or as gif hir grace (the tyme of the said coronatioun) had bene departit out of this mortall lyfe, or had comperit personallie in presence of the haill thre Estatis of this Realme, assemblit in Parliament and maid the said dimissioú, notwithstanding ony maner of tytill, actioun, or enteres, or ony vther thing that presentlie may or can heirefter be obiectit in the contrare. And als ratifyis, appreuis, and confirmis the said dimissioun, coronatioun, and inauguratioun of our said Souerane Lord, and all thingis done, or that heirefter sall happin to be done in his hienes name and authoritie. Of the quhilkis letters of dimissioun, and constitutioun of procuratioun the tennouris followis.

ITEM It is found and declared by the three Estates & whole body of this present Parliament, that the demission and over-giving of the Crown, and Regiment of this Realm made by the Queen’s grace, our Sovereign Lord’s dearest Mother, by virtue of her letters of commission and procuration subscribed with her hand, and under her privy Seal, of the date the 24th day of July last bypast, was, and is, and shall be in all times coming holden, repute, and esteemed lawful, and perfect, according to the same commission produced, advised, and admitted by the saids three Estates. And also that the Coronation, and inauguration of our said Sovereign Lord, Son to his said dearest mother, and native Prince of this Realm, made and solemnized conform to the said commission, At Stirling, the 29th day of the said Month of July by the Earls, Lords, Prelates, Commissars of Burrows, Barons, and others faithful and true subjects, assembled and convened for that effect, was duly, rightly, and orderly done, and execute, and as lawful and vailzeable [availing, valid] in the self in all respects, and his Majesty as righteously invested, and possessed in this kingdom as his said mother, his gudschir [grandfather], grandschir [great-grandfather], or any other his most noble progenitors native Princes of this Realm were, and has been of before, or as if her grace (the time of the said coronation) had been departed out of this mortal life, or had compeared personally in presence of the whole three Estates of this Realm, assembled in Parliament and made the said demission, notwithstanding any manner of title, action, or interest, or any other thing that presently may or can hereafter be objected in the contrary. And also ratifies, approves, and confirms the said demission, coronation, and inauguration of our said Sovereign Lord, and all things done, or that hereafter shall happen to be done in his highness’ name and authority. Of the which letters of demission, and constitution of procuration the tenours follows.

MARIE Be the grace of God Quene of Scottis, To all and sindrie our Jugeis, and Ministeris of Law, liegis, and subiectis {folio ii. verso} quhome it effeiris, to quhais knawlege thir our letters sall cú greting, Forsamekle as be lang irksum, and tedious travell takin be us in the gouernament of this our Realme, and liegis thairof, we ar sa vexit and weryit that our body, spirite, and sencis ar altogidder becum unhabill langer to trauell in that rowme. And thairfore we haue dimittit, and renuncit the office of gouernement of this our Realme, & liegis thairof in fauouris of our onlie maist deir Sone, natiue Prince of this our Realme. And because of his tender zouth, and inhabilitie to vse the said gouernement in his awin persoun, during his minoritie, we haue constitute our derrest brother James Erle of Murray, Lord Abirnethie. &c. Regent to our said Sone, Realme and liegis foirsaidis. And in respect that our said derrest brother is actuallie furth of our Realme, and can not instantlie be present to accept the said office of Regentrie vpon him, and vse and exerce the samin, during our saidis derrest sonis minoritie: We quhill his returning within our Realme, or in cais of his deceis haue maid, constitute, namit, appointit, and ordanit, and be thir our letteris makis, constitutis, namis, appointis, and ordanis our traist cousingis and counsalouris, James Duke of Chattellerault, Erle of Arrane, Lord Hammiltoun, Matho Erle of Leuinar, Lord Dernley. &c. Archibald Erle of Argyle, Lord Campbell and Lorne. &c. Johne Erle of Athole, James Erle of Mortoun, Alexander Erle of Glencarne, and Johne Erle of Mar, Regentis to our said derrest sone Realme and liegis. And in cais our said brother James, Erle of Murray, cum within our Realme, and refusis to accept the said office of Regentrie vpon his singulare persoú, We mak, constitute, name, appoint, and ordeine our traist counsingis, and counsallouris foirsaidis, and our said brother, Regentis of our said deir Sone, Realme and liegis. Gevand, grantand, and committand to thame or ony fyue of thame, coniunctlie, full powar for our said Sone, and in his name to ressaue resignatiounis of landis, mak dispositiounis of wairdis, nonentressis, releuis, mariageis, benefices, eshetis, officis, and vtheris casualiteis, & priuilegeis quhatsumeuer cócerning the said office, Signatouris thairupon to mak, subscriue, and cause be past throuch the Seillis. And to vse, and exerce the said office of Regentrie in all thingis, priuilegeis, & commoditeis, siclyke as frelie, and with als greit libertie, as ony Regent, or Gouernour to vs, or our predecessouris vsit the samin in ony tymes bygane. Promittand to hald firme, and stabill, in the word and faith of ane Prince, to quhatsumeuer thingis our saidis traist cousingis dois in the premissis. Chargeing heirfore zow all and sindrie our Jugeis, and Ministeris of Law, liegis, & subiectis foirsaidis, to answer, and obey to our saidis traist cousingis, Regentis foirsaidis, in all and sindrie thingis concerning the said office of Regentrie, during our said derrest Sonis minoritie, and ay and quhil he be of the age of seuintene zeiris compleit. As ze and ilk ane of zow will declair zow luifing subiectis {folio iii. recto} to our said maist deir Sone, zour natiue Prince, and under all paine, charge, and offence that ze and ilk ane of zow may commit, and inrin aganis his Maiestie in that pairt. Subscriuit with our hand, & geuin under our preuie Seill, at Lochleuin the .xxiiij. day of Julij, and of our Regne the twenty fyue zeir.

MARY, By the grace of God Queen of Scots, To all and sundry our Judges, and Ministers of Law, lieges, and subjects {folio ii. verso} whom it effeirs [concerns], to whose knowledge these our letters shall come, greeting, Forsomuch as by long irksome, and tedious travail taken by us in the government of this our Realm, and lieges thereof, we are so vexed and wearied that our body, spirit, and senses are altogether become unable longer to travail in that room, And therefore we have demitted, and renounced the office of government of this our Realm, & lieges thereof in favours of our only most dear Son, native Prince of this our Realm. And because of his tender youth, and inability to use the said government in his own person, during his minority, we have constitute our dearest brother James Earl of Murray, Lord Abernethy, &c. Regent to our said Son, Realm, and lieges foresaids. And in respect that our said dearest brother is actually forth of our Realm, and can not instantly be present to accept the said office of Regentry upon him, and use and exercise the same, during our said dearest son’s minority: We, while [until] his returning within our Realm, or in case of his decease, have made, constitute, named, appointed, and ordained, and by these our letters makes, constitutes, names, appoints, and ordains our traist [trustworthy] cousins and counsellours, James Duke of Chattellerault, Earl of Arran, Lord Hamilton, Matho Earl of Levinar, Lord Darnley. &c. Archibald Earl of Argyle, Lord Campbell and Lorne. &c. John Earl of Athole, James Earl of Mortoun, Alexander Earl of Glencairn, and John Earl of Mar, Regents to our said dearest son, Realm, and lieges. And in case our said brother James, Earl of Murray, come within our Realm, and refuses to accept the said office of Regentry upon his singular person, We make, constitute, name, appoint, and ordain our traist [trustworthy] cousins, and counsellours foresaids, and our said brother, Regents of our said dear Son, Realm, and lieges; Giving, granting, and committing to them or any five of them, conjunctly, full power for our said Son, and in his name to receive resignations of lands, make dispositions of wards, non-entries, reliefs, marriages, benefices, escheats, offices, and others casualities [incidental items of revenue], & privileges whatsomever concerning the said office, Signators [signed authorizations] thereupon to make, subscribe, and cause be past through the Seals. And to use, and exercise the said office of Regentry in all things, privileges, & commodities, suchlike as freely, and with as great liberty, as any Regent, or Governour to us, or our predecessours used the same in any times bygone; Promising to hold firm, and stable, in the word and faith of a Prince, to whatsomever things our saids traist [trustworthy] cousins do in the premises. Charging herefore [for this reason] you all and sundry our Judges, and Ministers of Law, lieges, & subjects foresaids, to answer, and obey to our saids traist [trustworthy] cousins, Regents foresaids, in all and sundry things concerning the said office of Regentry, during our said dearest Son’s minority, and aye and while [ever and until] he be of the age of seventeen years complete. As ye and each one of you will declare you loving subjects {folio iii. recto} to our said most dear Son, your native Prince, and under all pain, charge, and offence that ye and each one of you may commit, and inrin [incur] against his Majesty in that part. Subscribed with our hand, & given under our privy Seal, at Lochleven the 24th day of July, and of our Reign the twenty-fifth year.

MARIE Be the grace of God Quene of Scottis, To all and sindrie our Jugeis, and Ministeris of Law, liegis, and subiectis quhome it effeiris, to quhais knawlege thir our letteris sall cum, greting, Forsamekle, as sen our arriuall, and returning within our Realme, we willing the commoun commoditie, welth, profeit, and quyetnes thairof, liegis, and subiectis of the samin, haue employit our body, spirite, haill sencis, and forcis to gouerne the same, in sic sort that our royall, and honorabill estate mycht stand, and continew with vs, and our posteritie, and our luifing, and kynde liegis mycht enioy the quietnes of trew subiectis. In trauelling quhairin, not onlie is our body, spirite, and sencis sa vexit, brokin, and vnquyetit that langer we ar not of habilitie be ony meane to indure sa greit and intollerabill panis, and trauellis quhairwith we ar altogidder veryit, bot als greit commotiounis and troublis, be sindrie occasiounis in the meintyme hes ensewit thairin to our greit greif. And seing it hes bene the plesour of the eternall God, of his kyndlie lufe, mercie, and gudnes to grant vnto vs, of our awin persoun, ane Sone, quha in cais be the hand of God we be veseit, will, and of rycht, and of equitie man, and aucht to succeid to vs and to the gouernement of our Realme. And knawing that all creaturis ar subiect to that immutabill decreit of the eternall, anis to rander and gif vp this lyfe temporall, (The hour and tyme quhairof is maist vncertane) and in cais be deceis we be takin fra this lyfe, during the tyme of his minoritie, it may be dowtit greitlie that resistance, and troubill may be maid to our said Sone, now natiue Prince of this our Realme, in his tender zeiris (being swa destitute of vs) to succeid to that rowme and kingdome quhilk maist iustlie of all Lawis appertenis to him. Quhilk inconuenient be Godis help, and gude prouidence, we mene to preuent, in sic maner, that it sall not ly in the power of ony vnnaturall subiectis to resist Godis ordinance in that behalf. And vnderstanding that na thing eirdlie is mair ioyous, and happy to vs, nor to se our said derrest Sone, in our awin lyfetime peciablie placit in that rowme, and honorabill estate quhairto he iustlie aucht & man succeid to. We of the motherlie affectioú we beir toward our said onlie Sone, haue renuncit, & dimittit, and be thir our letteris, frelie, of our awin mo true will renuncis, and dimittis the gouernement, gyding & gouerning of this our Realme of Scotland, liegis, and subiectis thairof, & all intromissioun & dispositioun of ony casualiteis, propertie, benefices, offices, & all thingis apperttening, or heirtofoir is knawin, or heirefter sall happin to appertene thairto, in fauouris of our said derrest Sone. To {folio iii. verso} that effect, that he may be plantit, placit, and possessit thairin, vse and exerce all thingis belangand thairto, as natiue King, and Prince of the samin, and siclyke as we or ony our predecessouris, Kings of Scottis, hes done in ony tymes bypast. Attoure, that this our dimissioun may tak the mair solempne effect, & that nane pretend ignorance thairof, we haue geuin, grantit, and committit, and be thir our letters geuis grantis, and committis our commissioun full, frie, and plane power, generall, and speciall command, to our traist cousingis, Patrik Lord Lindesay of the Byris, and Williame Lord Ruthuen, and to ilk ane of thame coniunctly and seuerally, to compeir before sa mony of the Nobilitie, Clergie, Burgessis, and vther pepill of our Realme, as sall happin to be assemblitt to that effect in our Burgh of Striuiling, or ony vther place, or placis quhair it salbe thocht maist conuenient, at ony day or dayis, and thair publictlie in thair presence, for vs, in our name, and vpon our behalf dimit, and renunce the gouernement, gyding, and reuling of this our Realme, liegis, and subiectis thairof, all intromissioun with the propertie, casualitie, or vtheris thingis appertening to vs thairby, and all rycht, and tytle that we had, hes, or may haue be ony maner of way thairto, in fauouris of our said Sone, to that effect, that he may be inaugurat, placit, and rowmit thairin, and the Crowne royall deliuerit to him, and be obeyit in all thingis concerning the samin, as we, or our predecessouris hes bene in tymes bypast. And in lykewise be thir presentis geuis, grantis, and committis our full frie, and plane power, to our rycht traist cousingis, James Erle of Mortoun, Lord of Dalkeith. Johne Erle of Athole. &c. Johne Erle of Mar. &c. Alexander Erle of Glencarne, Williame Erle of Menteith, Johne Maister of Grahame, Alexander Lord Hume, Adam Bischop of Orknay, and Prouestis of Dundie, Montrois, or ony of thame, to ressaue the said renúciatioun, and dimissioun in fauouris of our said Sone, and thairefter the ressauing thairof, to plant, place, and inaugurat him in the Kingdome, and with all ceremonies requysit to put the Crowne royall vpon his heid, in signe and takin of the establesing of him thairin, and in his name to mak, and gif to the saidis Nobilitie, Clergy, Burgessis, and vtheris our liegis, his Princely & Kingly aith detfully, and lauchfully as effeiris. And to ressaue thair aithis, for dew & lauchfull homage to be maid be thame to him, in all tymes cuming, as becumis subiectis to thair natiue King and Prince. And generally all & sindrie other thingis to do, exerce, and vse that for sure performance & accomplishment heirof may, or can be done, firme and stable haldand, and for to hald all and quhatsumeuer thingis in our name, in the premissis leidis to be done, in the word and faithfull promis of ane Prince. And ordanis thir our letters (gif neid beis) to be publist at all places neidfull. Subscriuit with our hand, & geuin vnder our preuie Seil, At Lochleuin the .xxiiij. day of Julii. And of our Regne the .xxv. zeir. 1567.

MARY, By the grace of God Queen of Scots, To all and sundry our Judges, and Ministers of Law, lieges, and subjects whom it effeiris [concerns], to whose knowledge these our letters shall come, greeting: Forsomuch, as since our arrival, and returning within our Realm, we, willing the common commodity, wealth, profit, and quietness thereof, lieges, and subjects of the same, have employed our body, spirit, whole senses, and forces to govern the same, in such sort that our royal, and honorable estate might stand, and continue with us, and our posterity, and our loving, and kind lieges might enjoy the quietness of true subjects; In travailing wherein, not only is our body, spirit, and senses so vexed, broken, and unquieted that longer we are not of ability by any mean to endure so great and intolerable pains, and travails wherewith we are altogether wearied, but also great commotions and troubles, by sundry occasions in the meantime has ensued therein to our great grief. And seeing it has been the pleasure of the eternal God, of his kindly love, mercy, and goodness, to grant unto us, of our own person, a Son, who in case by the hand of God we be visited, will, and of right, and of equity must, and ought to succeed to us and to the government of our Realm; And knowing that all creatures are subject to that immutable decree of the eternal, once to render and give up this life temporal, (The hour and time whereof is most uncertain) and in case by decease we be taken from this life, during the time of his minority, it may be doubted greatly that resistance, and trouble may be made to our said Son, now native Prince of this our Realm, in his tender years (being so destitute of us) to succeed to that room and kingdom which most justly of all Laws appertains to him. Which inconvenient by God’s help, and good providence, we mean to prevent, in such manner, that it shall not lie in the power of any unnatural subjects to resist God’s ordinance in that behalf. And understanding that nothing earthly is more joyous, and happy to us, nor [than] to see our said dearest Son, in our own lifetime peaceably placed in that room, and honorable estate whereto he justly ought & must succeed to. We of the motherly affection we bear toward our said only Son, have renounced, & demitted, and by these our letters, freely, of our own motive [Ed. 1575.] will renounces, and demits the government, guiding & governing of this our Realm of Scotland, lieges, and subjects thereof, & all intromission & disposition of any casualities, property, benefices, offices, & all things appertaining, or heretofore is known, or hereafter shall happen to appertain thereto, in favours of our said dearest Son. To {folio iii. verso} that effect, that he may be planted, placed, and possessed therein, use and exercise all things belonging thereto, as native King, and Prince of the same, and suchlike as we or any our predecessours, Kings of Scots, has done in any times bypast. Attoure [Moreover], that this our demission may take the more solemn effect, & that none pretend ignorance thereof, we have given, granted, and committed, and by these our letters gives grants, and commits our commission full, free, and plain power, general, and special command, to our traist [trustworthy] cousins, Patrick Lord Lindsey of the Byres, and William Lord Ruthven, and to each one of them conjunctly and severally, to compear before so many of the Nobility, Clergy, Burgesses, and other people of our Realm, as shall happen to be assembled to that effect in our Burgh of Stirling, or any other place, or places where it shall be thought most convenient, at any day or days, and there publicly in their presence, for us, in our name, and upon our behalf demit, and renounce the government, guiding, and ruling of this our Realm, lieges, and subjects thereof, all intromission with the property, casualty, or others things appertaining to us thereby, and all right, and title that we had, has, or may have by any manner of way thereto, in favours of our said Son, to that effect, that he may be inaugurate, placed, and roomed therein, and the Crown royal delivered to him, and be obeyed in all things concerning the same, as we, or our predecessours has been in times bypast. And in likewise by these presents gives, grants, and commits our full free, and plain power, to our right traist [trustworthy] cousins, James Earl of Morton, Lord of Dalkeith. John Earl of Athole. &c. John Earl of Mar. &c. Alexander Earl of Glencairn, William Earl of Menteith, John Master of Graham, Alexander Lord Hume, Adam Bishop of Orkney, and Provosts of Dundie, Montrose, or any of them, to receive the said renunciation, and demission in favours of our said Son, and thereafter the receiving thereof, to plant, place, and inaugurate him in the Kingdom, and with all ceremonies requisite to put the Crown royal upon his head, in sign and token of the establishing of him therein, and in his name to make, and give to the saids Nobility, Clergy, Burgesses, and others our lieges, his Princely & Kingly oath dutifully, and lawfully as effeiris [as is suitable, or fitting]. And to receive their oaths, for due & lawful homage to be made by them to him, in all times coming, as becomes subjects to their native King and Prince. And generally all & sundry other things to do, exercise, and use that for sure performance & accomplishment hereof may, or can be done, firm and stable holding, and for to hold all and whatsomever things in our name, in the premises leidis [conducts] to be done, in the word and faithful promise of a Prince. And ordains these our letters (if need be) to be published at all places needful. Subscribed with our hand, & given under our privy Seal, At Lochleven the 24th day of July. And of our Reign the 25th year. 1567.