XXIV: Letters of James II granting peace and protection to University of Glasgow (1453)

XXIV. Letters by King James II. taking the University of Glasgow under his firm peace and protection, and exempting the rectors and others connected therewith from all tributes and services imposed in the Kingdom. Stirling, 20 April 1453.

[Latin text]

Jacobus Dei gratia rex Scotorum, omnibus probis hominibus totius terre sue clericis et laicis, salutem. Cum inter curas et sollicitudines quibus animus noster afficitur et que nobis ex ministerio regalis dignitatis incumbunt, ad ea summopere retorquere debemus intuitum, per que in regno nostro grata litterarum studia teneantur, et proficientium in scientiis numerus augeatur. Hii sunt qui aulam Dominici gregis illuminant et currentibus in stadio insinuant iter rectum, dum quosdam per fructum boni operis alliciunt ad virtutem, et in desiderium divine scientie attrahunt, alios per exemplum. Sane ad fovendum et promovendum statum prosperum et felicem alme universitatis Glasguensis, filie nostre quam dilecte, ex intimis desideriis incitamur studium et operam adhibere, et solerti animo manum nostre possibilitatis apponere, ut, nostris temporibus, jugiter proficiat felicibus incrementis et eo vigilantius, quo frequentius ipsam videmus viros producere scientie decoros, viros alti consilii et moribus presignatos, per quos, cum de discipline fonte potaverit, populus Christiane professionis nobis commissus, virga equitatis et justitie corripiatur, orthodoxa fides solide defensetur, querele jurgiose determinentur, et reddatur unicuique quod debetur. Nos igitur, premissa digna meditatione pensantes, notum facimus universis, quod omnes et singulos rectores, qui pro tempore fuerint, facultatum decanos, procuratores nationum, regentes, magistros, et scolares, in prelibata universitate studentes, presentes et futuros, sub nostra firma pace, custodia, defensione, et manutenentia suscipimus, et specialiter reservamus; necnon, eosdem rectores, decanos, procuratores, regentes, magistros, bedellos, scriptores, stationarios, pergamenarios, et scolares continue studentes, dummodo prelati non existant, ab omnibus tributis, muneribus, exactionibus, taxationibus, collectis, vigiliis, custodiis, et pedagiis ammodo, infra regnum nostrum statuendis, levandis, seu quomodolibet percipiendis, liberaliter eximimus, per presentes. Quodque hanc nostram concessionem, et gratie specialis prerogativaque indulta, eisdem studentibus, pro perpetuis temporibus, omnino volumus inviolabiliter observari. Datum sub magno sigillo nostro, apud Striuilyng, vicesimo die mensis Aprilis, anno Domini millesimo quadringentesimo quinquagesimo tertio, et regni nostri anno decimo septimo.

[Translation]

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 with which our mind is burdened, and which devolve on us from our exercise of royal authority, we are bound in a particular manner to give attention to those things whereby the grateful study of letters may be preserved in our kingdom, and the number of proficients in the sciences increased. These are they that enlighten the courts of the Lord's house, and point out the right way to them that run their course of study, while they allure some to virtue by the fruit of their good works, and draw others by their example to a longing for divine knowledge. Truly we are moved with most earnest desire, to take thought and pains for the cherishing and promotion of the prosperous and happy state of our University of Glasgow, our dearly beloved daughter, and prudently put to the hand of our authority, that in our time she may steadily make progress with happy increase, the more vigilantly that we frequently see her produce men distinguished for their learning; men of profound understanding, and irreproachable life, by whom, after the Christian people committed to us shall have drunk of the springs of knowledge, the rod of righteousness and justice may be wielded, the orthodox faith powerfully defended, quarrels and controversies settled, and what is due rendered to every one. We therefore weighing the premises with due deliberation, do you all to wit, that we take and specially keep under our firm peace, keeping, protection, and maintenance all and sundry the rectors for the time being, deans of faculties, procurators of nations, regents, masters, and scholars, studying in the foresaid university, present and to come. And by these presents we freely exempt the said rectors, deans, procurators, regents, masters, beadles, writers, stationers, parchment-makers, and scholars continuously studying, while they are not promoted, from all tributes, gifts, stentings, taxes, collections, watchings, wardings, and tolls, from this time forth to be imposed, levied, or in any way uplifted within our kingdom. And our will is, that this our grant, and prerogative of our special favour conferred upon the said studious persons, shall in all points be inviolably observed in all time to come for ever. Given under our great seal, at Stirling, the twentieth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand four hundred and fifty-three, and of our reign the seventeenth.