Third Proclamation,
22nd August 1565
“The King and Queen remembering that soon after Her Majesty's arrival great inconvenience arose by differences in matters of religion, and being desirous to see the same pacified, directed letters, proclamations, and charges throughout the realm, commanding the lieges not to make any alteration on the state of religion or attempt anything against the form which Her Majesty found prevailing on her arrival, under pain of death; with certification that if any should act contrary to this he should be regarded as a seditious person and raiser of tumult. The same has been divers times duly proclaimed, so that none can pretend ignorance. Nevertheless, some forgetting their duty, it is reported that they have contravened, and intend to contravene, the same by introducing the religion and ministration of the sacraments otherwise than by the public form observed on Her Majesty's arrival. Others have already disobeyed their Majesties' commands and are denounced rebels and put to the horn. To cover their rebellion they endeavour to persuade the lieges to believe that their Majesties in prosecuting the rebels mean nothing else but the plain subversion of the state of religion as aforesaid. By such false reports they alienate the lieges from their loyalty. For eschewing of which false report their Majesties ordain letters to be directed to officers of the King and Queen, etc., charging all and sundry their lieges that they endeavour to observe and obey the former proclamation, and that none presume to attempt anything that may tend to the violation and breaking thereof under the penalty contained in the same.”
Proclamation Touching Moray's Rebellion
Declaration by the King and Queen, 3rd September 1565:—
“Forasmuch as in this uproar lately raised against us by certain rebels and others to blind the eyes of the simple people, we have given them to understand that the quarrel they had in hand was only religion, thinking with that cloak to cover their other ungodly designs. And so under pretence of that plausible argument to draw after them a large following of ignorant persons. Now, for preservation of our lieges whose cases were to be pitied if they blindly should be trapped in so dangerous a snare, it has pleased God, by the utterance of their own mouths and writings to us, to discover the poison that before lay hid in their hearts; albeit to persons of clear judgment the same was evident before. For what other thing might move the principal raisers of this tumult to put themselves in arms against us so unnaturally, upon whom we had bestowed so many benefits. The great honour we did to them, being thereof most unworthy, made them to misknow themselves, and their insatiable ambition could not be satisfied with heaping riches upon riches, and honour upon honour, unless they might receive in their hands ourselves and our whole realm, to be led, used, and disposed at their pleasure. But of this the multitude could not perceive if God, for disclosing of their hypocrisy, had not compelled them to utter their unreasonable desire to govern. For now, by letters sent from themselves to us, they make plain confession that the establishing religion will not content them, but we must perforce be governed by such counsel as shall please them to give us, a thing so far beyond all reason that we think the mere mention of such a demand is sufficient to make their nearest kinsfolk their mortal enemies. What is this but in a manner to invert the order of nature, to make the prince obey, the subject to command? The like was never demanded of any of our noble progenitors, nor of governors or regents. The princes ever chose their counsel of such as they thought most fit. When we ourselves were of less age, and on our first arrival in the realm, we had free choice of counsel at our pleasure. Now, when we are at our full majority, shall we be brought back to the state of pupilage and minority, or be put under tutelage?
“So long as some of them bore the whole swing with us, this matter was never called in question; but now, when they cannot be permitted to do and undo all things at their own pleasure, they will put a bridle on our mouths and give us counsel after their own fantasy. This is the quarrel of religion they made you believe they had in hand; this is the quarrel for which they would have you hazard your lives, lands, and goods, in company with certain rebels against your natural princes; or, in plain language, they would be kings themselves, leaving us the bare name and title, taking to themselves the whole use and administration of the kingdom.
“We have thought good to make publication hereof so that you suffer not yourselves to be deceived under pretence of religion to follow them, who, preferring their own advancement to the public good, would, if ye hearken to their voice, draw you after them to your utter destruction. Assuring you that as we have hitherto had good experience of our clemency, and under our rule enjoyed in peace the possession of your goods and liberty of conscience, so may ye be in full assurance of the like hereafter, and have us always your good and loving princess as many as shall continue in due obedience and do the office of faithful and natural subjects.
“St. Andrews, 3rd September 1565.”