Tracts, legal and historical

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he did in England : Alexander is reported to have
addressed him in the following manner : " I do not
remember ever to have seen in my dominions a legate
from the Pope : neither is his presence necessary
with us ; for hitherto the condition of our church is
prosperous. The King, my father, and my other pre-
decessors, never admitted a legate into Scotland ;
neither will I, while I retain my authority. You
have the reputation of being a holy man, and there-
fore, should you visit Scotland, I counsel you to be-
ware, for lawless and blood-thirsty savages dwell in
my dominions. I myself am not able to keep them
in due subjection. You may have heard how they
lately made an attempt on my own person, and
sought to expell me from my kingdom. Were they
to assail you, my authority would not restrain
them." 1
Our native Canons, thus recognized by the Court
of Rome, not only were a rule in the spiritual courts,
but were solemnly enforced by the civil tribunals.
The act in 1516, ratifying the divorce of Albany from
Catherine Sinclair, is upon the ground " yat yai had
maid (their marriage) quietly wytout ony publica-
tioun or solempnietis requirit yerto, aganis ye decretis
ande constitutiouns of ye kirk," and " uyeris lawis,
customes, and constitutiouns of yis realme" 2 while
a previous act in 1443 expressly enforces " the actis
1 Ann. Vol. iii. p. 212.
2 Acts of Parliament, Vol. ii. p. 283.
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