JAMES I. Letter signed as James VI of Scotland ("James R") to George Keith, fourth Earl Marischal, discussing means whereby the King hopes to raise further funds, 1599
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JAMES I
Letter signed as James VI of Scotland ("James R") to George Keith, fourth Earl Marischal, discussing means whereby the King hopes to raise further funds: recalling that at a convention held on 10 December last "samony of the estaites as wer present" they were apprised of "quhat difficulties we wer reductit to for lack of money to susteane the necessar chargis and burdenis appertening our honnor and the suirty and weill of the cuntrey" and showed themselves well disposed towards trying to "supplie our estate" and consider ways to effect it, but finding that they have made "long tarie" and because the matter requires greater deliberation, he has appointed a more frequent convention to be called at Perth on 27 March; address panel on verso, filing endorsement, one page, traces of red wax closing seal in the margins, minor seal-tears etc. but overall in fine and attractive condition, folio, Holyroodhouse, 28 December 1599
Sold for £1,000 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • 'ANY SCHAWE OF TYRANNY ON OUR PAIRT' – JAMES AS KING OF SCOTLAND: a fine and attractive letter giving voice to the Crown's dilemma which was to become, a generation later, a prime cause of civil war, namely the need for the King to raise moneys for the upkeep of the state without the "schaw of tyranny" that comes with enforced taxation; James in this letter declaring that he has "concludid never heireafter not only nocht to sute any taxatioun bot altho our people wald willinglie yeald to any sic burdene as micht be meiudiciall to thair libertie or cary any schaw of tyranny on our pairt till the posteritie We are determinant never to permit the memorie of any sic dealing to rest ower thair heidis bot as a loving Prince and fader of the people". The recipient, George Keith, fourth Earl Marischal of Scotland (a hereditary title bringing with it custody of the crown, sceptre and sword of Scotland) had in 1593 founded the second of Scotland's post-mediaeval universities, Marischal College, Aberdeen. The previous May he had been excluded from the Privy Council for failure to attend, but was to be readmitted by February 1601. At his death in 1623, James was to describe him as 'that man, who had to our honour and contentment served us at home and abroade in greatest charges' (ODNB).

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