Douglas book > Angus memoirs

LIEUTENANT ON TEE BORDERS, 1598-9. 395
obtain the rescinding of the Act of forfeiture, and the ratification by Parliament
of what had been done, and this was secured by the assembling of a Parliament
in December of the same year at the suit of Angus and Error. 1 Their restoration
to their livings, honours, and dignities, was proclaimed at the Cross of Edinburgh
by Lyon Herald on 13th December, and their names set up on standards. 2
The Earl was at once reinstated as privy councillor, and in the following
June he received an important commission as lieutenant over the whole
Scottish Borders and several of the southern counties. Something of the kind
seems to have been anticipated at the date of the restoration, apparently from
some promise by the king, for only a day or two after that event the Earl
gathered his friends and vassals, and obliged them in a mutual bond of
union to stand by him in the service of the king, both at home and
abroad. 3 The Earl's lieutenancy extended over the East, Middle, and West
Marches, the counties of Peebles, Haddington, and Selkirk, Mthsdale, Gallo-
way, Kyle, and the Over Ward of Clydesdale, including all burghs within
these bounds, with the exception of Ayr and Irvine. He was armed with full
justiciary powers, and had authority to summon the lieges to his banner. All
the royal castles and houses were placed at his disposal, while their keepers,
and earls, lords, barons, provosts and bailies of burghs were commanded to
deal with border pledges as the Earl of Angus should direct. 4
was preached by Mr. John G-ledstanes, tions, and drinking the healths of the earls.
they confessed their defection and apostasy, [Tytler, vol. vii. pp. 354, 355.]
professed their "belief in the Presbyterian 1 Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland,
faith, and their determination to remain vol. iv. pp. 123-130, 149, 150; Thorpe's
steadfast therein. Absolution followed, and Calendar of State Papers, voL ii. p. 740.
the three earls partook of the Lord's Supper 2 Calderwood, vol. v. p. 66S.
together, and swore to be " good justiciars " 3 Vol. iii. of this work, pp. 314, 315.
in their districts. On the Monday following, 4 Commission, 29th June 1598, Acts of
proclamation of their reconciliation was made the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. iv. pp. 170-
by Marchmont Herald at the Cross, where 172 ; Register of the Priv3' Council, vol. v.
the populace evinced their joy by acclama- p. 466.