ITEM, It is found, declared, and decerned by our Sovereign Lord, with advice of the three Estates, and whole body of this present Parliament, that the nomination, constitution, and ordination of our said Sovereign Lord’s dearest Cousin, JAMES Earl of Murray, Lord Abernethy, in Regent to his Highness, his Realm and Lieges thereof, during the time of his Majesty’s minority, and less-age, specified and expressed in the Queen’s Majesty’s Letters, under her subscription and privy seal, of the date the 24th day of July last by-past, together also with the consent and approbation of the Earls, Lords, Prelates, Commissioners of Burrows, Barons, and others faithful subjects, convened and assembled to that effect. And the acceptation of the said office of Regentry, by the said JAMES Earl of Murray, upon the 22nd day of August last by-past, was, is, and in all times coming shall be held, reputed, and esteemed lawful, sufficient, and perfect. And all and whatsomever things, which he has done be virtue of his said office of Regentry, since his acceptation thereof, or which he shall do hereafter, in our said Sovereign Lord’s name and authority, during the time of his highness’ Minority, specified in the said commission and procuration {334} produced, advised and considered, by the said three Estates, to be as duly, lawfully, sufficiently, & righteously done, and to have as great avail, strength, force, & effect, in all respects and conditions, as any things done be whatsomever Regents, Governours or Protectours of this Realm, in the minorities & less-ages of any other native Princes of the same. And ratifies, approves, and confirms, the same nomination and acceptation, for now & in time coming.

MARY, By the Grace of God Queen of Scots, to all and sundry our Judges, & ministers of our Laws, lieges & subjects, whom it concerns, to whose knowledge these our letters shall come, greeting: Forsomuch, as after long, great, and intolerable pains, and labours taken by us, since our arrival within our Realm, for Government thereof, and keeping of the Lieges of the same in quietness, we have not only been vexed in our spirit, body, and senses thereby, but also at length are altogether so wearied thereof, that our ability, and strength of body, is not able longer to endure the same,

THEREFORE, and because no thing earthly can be more comfortable and happy to us in this Earth, than in our lifetime to see our dear Son, the native Prince of this our Realm, placed in the Kingdom thereof, and the Crown Royal set on his head, we of our own free-will, and special motive, have demitted and renounced the Government, guiding and governing of this our Realm of SCOTLAND, lieges and subjects thereof, in favours of our said Son, to that effect that in all times hereafter, he may peaceably and quietly enjoy the same, without trouble, and be obeyed as native King and Prince of the same, by the Lieges thereof. And understanding, that by reason of his tender youth, he is not of ability in his own person, to administrate in his Kingly room and government, as equity requires, until that hereafter he come to the years of discretion. And also knowing the proximity of blood standing betwixt us, our said Son, and our dearest brother JAMES Earl of Murray, Lord Abernethy, &c. And having experience of the natural affection and tender love, he has in all times borne, and presently bears towards us, honour and estate of our said Son. Of whose love and favour towards him, we cannot but assure ourself. To whom no greater honour, joy, nor felicity in earth can come, than to see our said Son inaugurate in his Kingdom, feared, reverenced and obeyed by his lieges thereof. In respect whereof, and of the certainty, and notoriety of the honesty, ability, qualification and sufficiency {335} of our said dearest Brother, to have the care and regiment of our said Son, Realm and lieges foresaids, during our said Son’s Minority: We have made, named, appointed, constitute, and ordained, and by these our Letters, names, appoints, makes, constitutes, and ordains our said dearest brother JAMES Earle of Murray, Regent to our said dearest Son, Realm, and lieges foresaids, during his Minority and less-age, and aye and until he be of the age of seventeen years complete. And that our said brother be called during the said space, Regent to our said Son, his Realm and Lieges. So that our said Son, after the completing of the years foresaids, in his own person, may take upon him the said government, and use and exercise all & sundry privileges, honours and other immunities, that appertain to the office of a King, aswell in governing his Realm and people, according to the Laws, as in repressing the violence of such as would invade, or unjustly resist him or them, or his Authority royal. With power to our said dearest brother JAMES Earl of Murray, in Name, Authority and behalf, of our said most dear Son, to receive resignations of whatsomever Lands held of him, or yet of Offices, Castles, Towers, Fortalices, Mills, Fisheries, Woods, Benefices, or appurtenances whatsomever: the same again in our said Son’s Name, to give and deliver signatures thereupon, and upon the gifts of Wards, nonentrances, and reliefs of Landis, and Marriages of heirs falling, or that shall happen to fall in our said Son’s hands as superiour thereof. And also upon presentation of Lands, Benefices, Escheats of goods moveable and un-moveable, debts and tacks, respites, remissions, supersedeas, and upon the disposition of Offices vaiking [vacant], or when they shall happen to vaik, to subscribe, and cause be past the seals. The said office of Regentry, to use and exerce [exercise] in all things, privileges, and commodities, suchlike as freely, and with as great liberty, as any Regent or Governour to us, or our Predecessours used in any times bygone, and suchlike as if every head, privilege and Article, concerning the said Office, were at length expressed and amplified in these our Letters. PROMISING to hold firm and stable, in the word and faith of a Prince, whatsomever things our said dearest brother in the premises happens to do. Charging herefore you all and sundry, our Judges and Ministers of Law, Lieges and subjects foresaids, to answer and obey to our said dearest brother, in all and sundry things, concerning the said office of Regentry, as ye and each one of you, will declare you loving subjects, to our said most dear Son, and under all pain, charge and offence, {336} that ye and each one of you may commit and inrin [incur], against his Majesty in that part. Subscribed with our hand, and given under our privy seal, at Lochlevin the 24th day of July, And of our Reign, the twenty-fifth year.