XXX : Letter of James III confirming Letter of Exemption, no. XXIV (1472)

XXX. Letter by King James III., confirming to the University of Glasgow the Letter of Exemption from Taxes granted by King James IV., No. xxiv. Edinburgh, 10 December 1472.

[Latin text]

Jacobus Dei Gracia Rex Scotorum, omnibus probis hominibus tocius terre sue clericis et laicis, salutem. Sciatis nos quandam literam quondam serenissimi principis progenitoris nostri Jacobi secundi Scotorum Regis illustrissimi factam et concessam Alme Vniuersitati Glasguensi filie nostre quam delecte ac rectoribus facultatum decanis procuratoribus nacionum regentibus magistris et scolaribus in prefata Vniuersitate studentibus presentibus et futuris super priuilegiis infra scriptis de mandato nostro visam lectam inspectam et diligenter examinatam sanam integram suoque magno sigillo sigillatam et subscripcione manuali sua roboratam non rasam non cancellatam nec in aliqua sui parte suspectam ad plenum intellexisse sub hac forma. Jacobus Dei Gracia Rex Scotorum omnibus probis hominibus tocius terre sue clericis et laicis salutem. Cum inter curas et sollicitudines [etc. ut supra, No. XXIV.] Singularis amor grataque dilectionis affectio quos circa Vniuersitatem predictam gerimus vt inibi studentium crescat numerus in nostre reipublice honorem et multorum profectum nos inducunt vt ea priuilegia et indulta eidem Vniuersitati rectori procuratoribus regentibus magistris scolaribus incorporatis et studentibus perpetuo confirmemus et nostra auctoritate regali pro nobis nostrisque heredibus et successoribus perpetuo innouemus que dictus noster clarissimus progenitor eisdem indulsit ac pro se et suis successoribus conseruanda mandauit. Predictam igitur literam quondam serenissimi progenitoris nostri et omnia et singula in eadem contenta in omnibus suis punctis et articulis et circumstanciis suis quibuscunque dictis Vniuersitati ac rectoribus facultatum decanis procuratoribus nacionum regentibus magistris et scolaribus in eadem studentibus et studendis incorporatis et incorporandis approbamus ratificamus et pro perpetuis futuris temporibus duratura pro nobis heredibus et successoribus nostris in omnibus et per omnia ut premissum est pro perpetuo innouamus et confirmamus. In Cuius Rei Testimonium presentibus literis nostris innouacionis et confirmacionis magnum sigillum nostrum apponi precipimus. Testibus reuerendis in Christo patribus Andrea episcopo Glasguensi, Thoma episcopo Aberdonensi, Willelmo episcopo Orchadensi, nostri secreti sigilli custode, dilectis consanguineis nostris Andrea domino Avandale cancellario nostro, Colino comite de Ergile domino Lorne, magistro hospicii nostri, Dauid comite de Craufurde domino Lyndesay, Jacobo domino Hammiltone, Willelmo domino Monypenny, Magistris Archibaldo Quhitelaw, archidiacono Laudonie secretario nostro et Johanne Layng rectore de Newlandis thesaurario nostro. Apud burgum de Edinburgh, decimo die mensis Decembris, anno Domini millesimo quadringentesimo septuagesimo secundo, et regni nostri decimo tercio.

[Translation]

James, by the grace of God King of Scots, to all good men of his whole land clerics and laics, greeting. Wit ye us to have fully understood a certain letter of the late serene prince our progenitor, James the Second the most illustrious King of Scots, made and granted to the University of Glasgow, our well beloved daughter, and to the rectors, deans of faculties, procurators of nations, regents, masters and scholars studying in the foresaid university, present and to come, upon the privileges underwritten; by our command seen, read, inspected and carefully examined, and found to be sound, whole, sealed with his great seal, and confirmed with his subscription manual, not erased, not cancelled, nor in any part thereof suspected; under this form, James, by the grace of God, King of Scots, to all good men of his whole land, clerics and laics, greeting. Whereas, amid the cares and anxieties, etc. [As above, No. XXIV.] The special love, favour, and affection which we bear towards the foresaid University, that students may increase in number therein, to the honor of our commonweal, and profit of many, induce us to confirm these privileges and exemptions to the said university, the rector, procurators, regents, masters, scholars incorporated and at study, for ever; and by our royal authority for us and our heirs and successors for ever, renew the exemptions granted to them by our said most illustrious progenitor, and which he for himself and his successors commanded to be observed. We therefore approve, ratify, and for us our heirs and successors, in all and by all, as aforesaid, for ever renew and confirm to continue in all times to come for ever, the aforesaid letter of our late most serene progenitor, and all and sundry contained therein, in all its points and articles and circumstances whatsoever, to the said university, and the rectors, deans of faculties, procurators of nations, regents, masters and scholars studying and to study, incorporated and to be incorporated therein. In witness whereof to these our letters of renewal and confirmation we command our great seal to be appended. Witnesses the reverend fathers in Christ, Andrew bishop of Glasgow, Thomas bishop of Aberdeen, William bishop of Orkney keeper of our privy seal, our well beloved cousins Andrew lord Avandale our chancellor, Colin earl of Argile lord Lorne master of our household, David earl Crawfurd lord Lyndesay, James lord Hammiltoune, William lord Monypenny, masters Archibald Quhitelaw archdean of Lothian our secretary, and John Layng rector of Newlandis our treasurer. At the burgh of Edinburgh, the tenth day of the month of December, the year of our Lord One thousand four hundred and seventy-two, and of our reign the thirteenth.