at Edinburgh a year later, we are very well informed. They are detailed from the Kirk point of view in the more or less contemporary chronicle of David Calderwood.[1]
The King Chargeth the Kirk of Edinburgh to Rescind an Act.
Some English comedians came to this countrie in the moneth of October. After they had acted sindrie comedeis in presence of the King, they purchassed at last a warrant or precept to the bailliffes of Edinburgh, to gett them an hous within the toun. Upon Moonday, the 12^{th} of November, they gave warning by trumpets and drummes through the streets of Edinburgh, to all that pleased, to come to the Blacke Friers' Wynd to see the acting of their comedeis. The ministers of Edinburgh, fearing the profanitie that was to ensue, speciallie the profanatioun of the Sabbath day, convocated the foure sessiouns of the Kirk. An act was made by commoun consent, that none resort to these profane comedeis, for eshewing offence of God, and of evill exemple to others; and an ordinance was made, that everie minister sould intimat this act in their owne severall pulpits. They had indeid committed manie abusses, speciallie upon the Sabboth, at night before. The King taketh the act in evill part, as made purposelie to crosse his warrant, and caused summoun the ministers and foure sessiouns, super inquirendis, before the Secreit Counsell, They sent doun some in commissioun to the King, and desired the mater might be tryed privatlie, and offered, if they had offended, to repair the offence at his owne sight; and alledged they had the warrant of the synod presentlie sitting in the toun. The King would have the mater to come in publict. When they went doun, none was called upon but M^r. Peter Hewat and Henrie Nisbit. After that they were heard, the sentence was givin out against all the rest unheard, and charge givin to the ministers and foure sessiouns to conveene, within three houres after, to rescind their former ordinance, and to the ministers, to intimat the contrarie of that which they intimated before. They craved to be heard. Loath was the King, yitt the counsell moved him to heare them. M^r. Johne Hall was appointed to be their mouth. 'We are summouned, Sir,' said M^r. Johne, 'and crave to understand to what end.' 'It is true', said the King, 'yee are summouned, and I have decerned alreadie.' M^r. Johne made no reply. M^r. Robert Bruce said, 'If it might stand with your good pleasure, we would know wherefore this hard sentence is past against us.' 'For contraveening of my warrant,' said the King. 'We have fulfilled your warrant,' said M^r. Robert, 'for your warrant craved no more but an hous to them, which they have gottin.' 'To what end, I pray you, sought I an hous,' said the King, 'but onlie that the people might resort to their comedeis?' 'Your warrant beareth not that end,' said M^r. Robert, 'and we have good
- [Footnote: Jnglishman haveing desyrit libertie of the session to mak ane publik play
in this citie, it was voted and concludit that he suld nocht be permitted to do the samin'.]
- ↑ Calderwood, Historie of the Kirk of Scotland (Wodrow Soc.), v. 765.
