[708] In Knox, the words are, "to stay the samyn, and to evit all incommodities that mycht thereupon ensew."
[709] The names of these Prelates were John Hamilton, Archbishop of St. Andrews, Robert Creichton, Bishop of Dunkeld, Patrick Hepburn, Bishop of Murray, and Henry Sinclair, Bishop of Ross.
[710] In MS. 1566, it is, "to be content of the Two parts of the rentis of thair benefices, and the Fourt part," &c. In MS. G, "and the Third part to be employed."
[711] The words, "the Ferd parte," here, and also a few lines above, were altered in the MS. 1566, to "the Thryde parte," but again corrected in the margin to the original words. MSS. G, and L 4, have "the Fourt parte."
[712] This name, The Mounth or Mount, was long applied to designate the mountain pass in the Highlands, in reaching the North of Scotland. In David Buchanan's editions of Knox's History, where the word occurs it is rendered "on this side of the Water," or, "beyond the Water," a rather vague description. The pass or road referred to led from Fettercairn (in Kincardineshire) to Banchory, on the north side of the Dee (in Aberdeenshire;) but here it may be considered to denote the mountain range itself, usually called the Grampian Mountains, which extend across the Island from Aberdeenshire in the north-east to the west coast in Argyleshire.
[713] The words enclosed within brackets are omitted in the Register.
[The samyn day,[714] forsamekle as the wechtie and debateable caussis standand amangis the lieges of this Realme, quhilk micht gif occasioun of brek thairof, and inquieting of the hale estait of the samyn, for eschewing thairof the Quenis Majestie appointit ane Conventioun of the Nobilitie and Clergie of hir Gracis Realme foirsaid, to compeir the xv day of December instant: quhilk being haldin, and divers tymes continewit, comperit, Johne Archbischop of Sanctandrois, Robert Bischop of Dunkeld, Patrik Bischop of Murray, and Henrie Bischop of Ross,[715] and offerit as efter followis, That is to say, that thai being restorit to thair Benefices and privilegis, and ansuerit thairof, offeris to the Quenis Majestie for the space of ane zeir, the Ferd part of the rentis of thair Benefices, to be employit as hir Grace thinkis expedient: And this thai offerit, and na forder.]