HISTORY OF THE

[APPENDIX,

xviii

Atque per presentes has literas patentes duodecim Equitibus Nobiscum Supremo Principe ex quibuspredictus Ordo omni tempore futuro constabit Damus et Concedimus in posterum omnes honoresdignitates titulos privilegia additiones et alia quae vel temporibus jam elapsis ad Nobilissimum Carduiordinem pertinebant vel quae inposterum ad eundem pertinere declarabimus, Hoc quoque documentumillustre esse volumus Nos nulla officia et fidelia a Populo nostro prestita ministeria praeteriturosquin congruis munificentiae honoris et favoris nostri testimoniis remuneraturos. In cujus Rei testi-monium praesentibus Magnum Sigillum nostrum appendi mandavimus. Apud aulam nostram deWindsore vigesimo nono die mensis Maij Anno Domini Millesimo sexcentesimo octogesimo septimoet anno Regni nostri tertio.”

WARRANT EMPOWERING JAMES EARL OF PERTH TO KNIGHT AND INVEST THE MARQUESS Of ATHOLL,THE DUKE OF GORDON, AND THE EARL OF ARRAN, 6 th JUNE 1687.

“ JAMES R.

“ Right trusty and right well beloved Cousin and Councillor, We greet you well. Whereas Wehave lately thought fit to Revive and Restore the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle toits full lustre, glory, and magnificence, as a lasting mark of Our Royal favour towards that Our ancientKingdom, and in remembrance of their duty and affection to Us to all succeeding ages, We havenominated and appointed Alexander Earl of Moray, and John Earl of Melfort, Our Principal Secretariesof State for that Our Kingdom, and Kenneth Earl of Seafort and George Earl of Dunbarton (nowhere) to be Knights Brethren of the same, whom We have this day received into the said Most NobleOrder, dispensing with the formalities and solemnities of their and all the rest of the Brethren’s Instal-ment during Our pleasure, or until there shall be a convenient time for their meeting Chapterly in OurRoyal Chapel at Holyrood House, which is now by Us appointed to be the Chapel of that Order intime coming; and have likewise nominated and appointed the like number (now there) to be KnightsBrethren, to wit, yourself, Our Chancellor of that Our Kingdom, John Marquis of Athole, Keeperof Our Privy Seal, George Duke of Gordon, and James Earl of Arran, We have, by our Letter of thedate of these presents to the Duke of Hamilton, appointed to represent Our Royal person as Sovereignof the said Order for the effect therein-mentioned only, authorized and required him to receive you asone of the Knights Brethren in manner fully therein expressed. Which being done accordingly, Wedo hereby nominate and appoint you to represent Our Royal person as Sovereign of the said Order, forreceiving the said Marquis of Athole, the Duke of Gordon, and the Earl of Arran, to be KnightsBrethren of the same; and for that effect do authorize and require you (with all convenient diligence)to administer unto them the Oath appointed by Us to be taken by the Knights Brethren, of which anextract is herein closed, attested by Our Secretary of that Order ; which also being performed, it is Ourfurther will and pleasure, that you in Our name confer upon them and every one of them the Honourof Knighthood in the ordinary form and method in such cases accustomed, and that you instantlythereafter put the Ribband about every one of their necks, in which is to be hung and carried theMedal of the Order, and give to every one of them the Badge, which is to be worn constantly (as wellas the Ribband and Medal) by them and the rest of the Knights Brethren. Whereupon they shalland are hereby declared to be received and esteemed as Knights Brethren of the said Order, in thelike manner, to all intents and purposes, as if they had been received into the same by Ourselfimmediately. For all which this shall be your Warrant, and so We bid you heartily farewell. Givenat Our Court at Windsor, the 6th day of June 1687, and of Our reign the third year.

“ By His Majesty’s command,

“ A. Forrester, Sec. Nob. Ord. Cardui.

“ To Our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousinand Councillor, James Earl of Perth, Our Chancellorof Our Ancient Kingdom of Scotland.”—Register.