153-533: Archibald Johnston, Lord Wariston (1611 – 1663) was a Scottish judge and statesman. He assisted Alexander Henderson in writing the Scottish National Covenant in 1638, and was appointed Procurator of the Kirk in the same year. He was said to have supported the prophesies of Margaret Mitchelson as true. Johnston helped negotiate the pacification of Berwick in 1639 and the treaty of Ripon in 1640. He
306-610: A fourth estate . During the 17th century, after the Union of the Crowns , a fifth estate of officers of state (see Lord High Commissioner to the Parliament of Scotland ) has also been identified. These latter identifications remain highly controversial among parliamentary historians. Regardless, the term used for the assembled members continued to be "the Three Estates". A Shire Commissioner
459-674: A royal proclamation , he read a strong protestation to an enormous multitude assembled at the Mercat Cross in Edinburgh . Together with Alexander Henderson he was the co-author of the National Covenant of 1638, drawing up the second part as a recapitulation of all the Acts of Parliament that had condemned " popery " while asserting the liberties of the Scottish church . He was said to have supported
612-540: A "common speaker" proved abortive, and the Lord Chancellor remained the presiding officer. Until 1603 the Lord Chancellor presided in the presence of the monarch, and their role was largely procedural, with debate conducted through him. In the absence of the monarch after the Union of the Crowns in 1603, Parliament was presided over by the Lord Chancellor in the presence of the Lord High Commissioner . In 1638
765-454: A Lord of Session, with the title Lord Warriston (from his estate at Currie which he had purchased in 1636), was knighted and given a pension of £200 a year. The same month the parliament appointed him a commissioner at Westminster for settling the affairs of Scotland. Lord Warriston was a chief agent in concluding the treaty with the English parliament in the autumn of 1643, and was appointed
918-629: A Professorship of Oriental Languages in that seat of learning. With a view to conciliate the Presbyterians, Charles I appointed him his chaplain on his visit to Scotland in 1641. Henderson was entrusted with various important missions; he was one of the commissioners who represented the Scottish Church at the Assembly of Divines at Westminster , and he was honoured with several interviews by Charles I when he endeavoured, though unsuccessfully, to bring
1071-538: A cadet of the Hendersons of Fordel. In support of the latter statement, his remains lie in the burying-ground of that family in Greyfriars Churchyard, and a contemporary portrait of him is still in possession of a representative of that house. His birthplace was between the villages of Luthrie and Branton. To the maintenance of a school at Luthrie he left two thousand marks Scots in his will. On 19 December 1599, at
1224-510: A confession of faith, a catechism, a directory for all the parts of the public worship, and a platform of government wherein possibly England and we might agree, should be drawn up. This was unanimously approved and the laborious undertaking was left in Henderson's hands but the notable motion did not lead to any immediate results. During Charles's second state visit to Scotland in the autumn of 1641, Henderson acted as his chaplain and managed to get
1377-449: A country charge. He received calls to St Andrews, and Greyfriars, Edinburgh, and was translated to St. Giles , Edinburgh on 10 January 1639, replacing James Hannay . He was appointed a Commissioner for framing a treaty of peace with England. In 1639 he was one of the commissioners appointed by the Church to treat regarding the articles of pacification with the king; and during the whole of
1530-527: A failure. Having delivered in a letter from a number of ministers in London, requesting advice as to the proper form of church government to be adopted, several of their brethren being inclined towards Independency, the Assembly instructed him to answer it; and in his reply he earnestly urged a uniformity of church government in the two kingdoms. The Assembly unanimously approved of a motion which he brought forward, to
1683-515: A full parliament. The Parliament of Scotland was dissolved in 1707 following the ratification of the Treaty of Union between Scotland and England . With the creation of the Kingdom of Great Britain on 1 May 1707, the parliaments of Scotland and England were succeeded by the new Parliament of Great Britain . Under the Acts of Union 1800 , the parliaments of Great Britain and Ireland merged to become
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#17328483547671836-481: A judicial and political role which was well established by the end of the century. With the death of Alexander III , Scotland found itself without an adult monarch, and in this situation, Parliament seems to have become more prominent as a means to give added legitimacy to the Council of Guardians who ran the country. By the reign of John Balliol (1292–96), Parliament was well established, and Balliol attempted to use it as
1989-557: A means to withstand the encroachments of his overlord, Edward I of England . With his deposition in 1296, Parliament temporarily became less prominent, but it was again held frequently by King Robert Bruce after 1309. During his reign some of the most important documents made by the King and community of the realm were made in Parliament—for instance the 1309–1310 Declaration of the Clergy . By
2142-666: A member of the Committee of Both Kingdoms in London which directed the military operations, and in this capacity went on several missions to the parliamentary generals. The articles of the unsuccessful Treaty of Uxbridge were, for the most part, drawn up by him in late 1644. He took his seat early the same year in the Westminster Assembly , to which he had been nominated, and vehemently opposed measures tolerating independency. Besides his public duties in England Warriston sat in
2295-455: A member of the Westminster Assembly of Divines . He declined the principalship of St Mary's College, St Andrews , and died unmarried 19 August 1646. Next to the Church, Henderson's greatest service was devoted to the University of Edinburgh. "He was the ablest educationist and the man of clearest insight of all who had to do with the college since its foundation. He saw what was wanted, and had
2448-654: A modern select committee of the UK Parliament – while the right to confirm the act remained with the full assembly of three estates. The Lords of the Articles were abolished in 1690 as part of the revolutionary settlement. At various points in its history, the Scottish Parliament was able to exert considerable influence over the Crown. This should not be viewed as a slow rise from parliamentary weakness in 1235 to strength in
2601-633: A number of significant changes and it found itself sharing the stage with new national bodies. The emergence of the Convention of Royal Burghs as the "parliament" of Scotland's trading towns and the development of the Kirk's General Assembly after the Reformation (1560) meant that rival representative assemblies could bring pressure to bear on parliament in specific areas. Following the Reformation, laymen acquired
2754-633: A paper before the Parliament of Scotland , strongly condemning its prorogation . In the following year he was appointed to attend the general of the army and the committee, and on 23 June, when the Scottish forces were preparing to invade England, he wrote to Thomas, Lord Savile asking for definite support from the leading opposition peers in England and their acceptance of the National Covenant, which drew from
2907-416: A parliamentary committee known as the "Lords of the Articles". This was a committee chosen by the three estates to draft legislation which was then presented to the full assembly to be confirmed. In the past, historians have been particularly critical of this body, claiming that it quickly came to be dominated by royal nominees, thus undermining the power of the full assembly. Recent research suggests that this
3060-424: A private conference with the king, the special object of which was to procure assistance to the Scottish universities from the rents formerly appropriated to the bishops, when he was graciously received by his majesty. In January 1640 he was Rector of the University of Edinburgh , and held office for the rest of his life. In 1640 the town council of Edinburgh, with the view of rendering the system of education at
3213-503: A prolonged period of parliamentary strength. Reverses to this situation have been argued to have occurred in the late 16th and early 17th centuries under James VI and Charles I , but in the 17th century, even after the Restoration, parliament was able to remove the clergy's right to attend in 1689 and abolish the Lords of the Articles in 1690, thereby limiting royal power. Parliament's strength
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#17328483547673366-469: A single chamber, the Scottish parliament acquired significant powers over particular issues. Most obviously it was needed for consent for taxation (although taxation was only raised irregularly in Scotland in the medieval period), but it also had a strong influence over justice, foreign policy, war, and all manner of other legislation, whether political, ecclesiastical , social or economic. Parliamentary business
3519-503: A small corps of guards, and the Marischal was attended by four macers who kept order on the floor of the chamber and guarded the Honours. The monarch or the Lord High Commissioner sat upon the elevated throne at the southern end of Parliament Hall, below which, on chairs, sat the Lord Chancellor (the presiding officer) and the officers of state. On the benches to the right of the throne, at
3672-643: A union of English and Scottish parliamentary leaders; opposed by English Royalists and Oliver Cromwell , it was suspended in 1645. In 1647, the Scots agreed to restore Charles to the English throne; their failure in the 1648–1649 Second English Civil War led to his trial and execution by the English Rump Parliament and officers of the New Model Army . Following the execution the Scots accepted Charles II as king in 1649 but their attempt to put him on
3825-458: A unitary state. Parliament was dissolved, 45 Scots being added to the 513 members of the House of Commons and 16 to the 190 members of the House of Lords . The layout of the parliamentary chamber varied over the history of the parliament, due to the venue in which parliament met, the number of estates present and the total number of members in attendance. The arrangements became more settled following
3978-725: A violent speech in Charles' presence, attributing all the late misfortunes to the Stuarts and their opposition to the Reformation . After Dunbar the Committee of Estates persuaded the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland that it was necessary to abandon the Act of Classes to allow a new national army to be raised, to include supporters of the Engagement and other royalists. A resolution to this effect
4131-560: Is perhaps first identifiable as a parliament in 1235, described as a "colloquium" and already with a political and judicial role. In 1296 we have the first mention of burgh representatives taking part in decision making. By the early 14th century, the attendance of knights and freeholders had become important, and Robert the Bruce began regularly calling burgh commissioners to his Parliament. Consisting of The Three Estates – of clerics , lay tenants-in-chief and burgh commissioners – sitting in
4284-533: Is reported to have been lifted from a work by Johannes Althusius to provide justification for bearing arms. The First Bishops' War did not last long. At the Pacification of Birks the king virtually granted all the demands of the Scots . In the negotiations for peace Henderson was one of the Scottish commissioners, and made a very favourable impression on the king. At the memorable General Assembly which met at Glasgow
4437-439: The 1661 Rescissory Act , which effectively annulled all Parliamentary legislation since 1633. It generally supported Charles and initially did the same when James succeeded in 1685; when it refused to pass his measures, James suspended it and resorted to rule by decree. The deposition of James in 1689 ended a century of political dispute by confirming the primacy of Parliament over the Crown. The Claim of Right which offered
4590-571: The Act of Classes in 1649. He was appointed Lord Clerk Register in 1649 and is said to have given Leslie fatal advice at the Battle of Dunbar in 1650, after which he lost his offices. In 1657, as a leading Remonstrant (see below), he was renamed by the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell as Lord Clerk Register. He was a member of Oliver and Richard Cromwell 's House of Lords and a member of
4743-655: The Council of State . On the restoration of the Rump Parliament in 1649, and on its suppression, he became permanent president of the Committee of Safety . After the restoration of the monarchy he fled abroad. He was condemned to death in absentia and arrested in Rouen . With Louis XIV's consent he was returned to Britain and after a spell of imprisonment in the Tower of London was hanged in Edinburgh on 22 July 1663. Archibald Johnston
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4896-464: The Covenanters replaced the Lord Chancellor with a President of the Parliament chosen by the members. After the Restoration, the Lord Chancellor was made ex-officio president of the parliament, his functions including the formulation of questions and putting them to the vote. From the early 1450s until 1690, a great deal of the legislative business of the Scottish Parliament was usually carried out by
5049-755: The Earl of Morton bearing the purse containing the commission from Queen Anne appointing the Lord High Commissioner. The Commissioner was followed by the dukes and marquesses, with the Marquess of Lorne , as colonel of the Life Guard, riding at the rear of the procession. The Lord High Commissioner was received at the door of Parliament House by the Lord High Constable and the Earl Marischal, both of whom led
5202-739: The Five Articles , notwithstanding the threats of the Government. Henderson stood among the foremost of those who opposed, though unsuccessfully, the obnoxious measure; and this too, in defiance of the king's utmost wrath, with which all who resisted the adoption of the Five articles were threatened. "In case of your refusal," said the archbishop of St Andrews, addressing the assembled clergymen, "the whole order and estate of your church will be overthrown, some ministers will be banished, others will be deprived of their stipends and office, and all will be brought under
5355-622: The Lord Clerk Register , the Lord Lyon King of Arms , and the heralds , pursuivants , and trumpeters , gathered on the forecourt of the Palace to wait upon the Lord High Commissioner. The nobles were all dressed in scarlet robes. Any member of the Parliament who failed to attend the Riding without a good reason for their absence were fined or even lost their voting rights in Parliament. Security
5508-552: The National Covenant of 1638 with Archibald Johnston, Lord Warriston , and the Solemn League and Covenant of 1643 . He preached in the Greyfriars church on 28 February 1638, when the National Covenant was signed, and presided as Moderator of the memorable General Assembly held at Glasgow in the following November. On two subsequent occasions he was chosen Moderator of Assembly. He was Rector of Edinburgh University , and instituted
5661-539: The Pacification of Berwick which ended the first Bishops' War . His firm attitude displeased the king extremely. After Charles promised a new Assembly and Parliament to settle the church question, Johnston responded by accusing him of playing for time, to which the king replied in anger "that the devil himself could not make a more uncharitable construction or give a more bitter expression"; and on Johnston continuing his speech ordered him to be silent and declared he would speak to more reasonable men. In August Johnston read
5814-645: The Parliament of the United Kingdom . Long portrayed as a constitutionally defective body that acted merely as a rubber stamp for royal decisions, modern research has found that the Parliament of Scotland played an active role in Scottish affairs . In the 15th and early 16th centuries Parliament was a powerful counter-weight to the power of the Stewart kings. Parliament provided counsel and aid to successive monarchs, while also successfully opposing unpopular royal policies. The members were collectively referred to as
5967-632: The Royal Mile from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to the Parliament House . The final Riding of Parliament was held on 6 May 1703, following the election of 1702 . The final form of the Riding was determined by the Parliament in May 1703. The Riding began with the transportation of the Honours of Scotland from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The members of the Parliament, their servants and horses,
6120-490: The Three Estates ( Scots : Thrie Estaitis ), or "three communities of the realm" ( tres communitates ), until 1690 composed of: The first estate comprised the archbishops of St Andrews and Glasgow , the bishops of Aberdeen , Argyll , Brechin , Caithness , Dunblane , Dunkeld , Galloway , Isles , Moray , Orkney and Ross and, at different periods, various abbots , priors , archdeacons , and deans . After
6273-459: The Three Estates . It acquired significant powers over particular issues, including consent for taxation, but it also had a strong influence over justice, foreign policy, war, and other legislation, whether political, ecclesiastical , social or economic. Much of the legislative business of the Scottish parliament was carried out by a parliamentary committee known as the Lords of the Articles , chosen by
Archibald Johnston - Misplaced Pages Continue
6426-643: The Whiggamore Raid , met Cromwell at Edinburgh in October after the defeat of the Engagers at Preston, and in conjunction with Argyll promoted the Act of Classes , passed on 23 January 1649, disqualifying royalists from holding public office. The good relations now formed with Cromwell were soon broken, however, by the King's execution, and Warriston was present officially at the proclamation of Charles II as King at Edinburgh, on 5 February 1649. On 10 March 1649 Warriston
6579-451: The senators of the College of Justice who, though unable to vote, could provide legal advice. The Riding of Parliament was an elaborate ceremonial event which formally marked the beginning and ending of a term of the Parliament of Scotland. A Riding was not held at the start of each session, but only at the downsitting (beginning) and rising (end) of Parliament. Dating from the 15th-century,
6732-481: The 1420s and was openly hostile to James III (1460–1488) in the 1470s and early 1480s. In 1431, Parliament granted a tax to James I for a campaign in the Highlands on the condition that it be kept in a locked chest under the keepership of figures deeply out of favour with the King. In 1436, there was even an attempt made to arrest the King "in the name of the three estates". Between October 1479 and March 1482, Parliament
6885-437: The 17th century, but rather a situation where in particular decades or sessions between the thirteenth and 17th century, parliament became particularly able to influence the Crown, while at other points that ability was more limited. As early as the reign of David II , parliament was able to prevent him pursuing his policy of a union of the crowns with England, while the 15th-century Stewart monarchs were consistently influenced by
7038-446: The Adam mausoleum. His death was an occasion of national mourning in Scotland. On 7 August Baillie had written that he had heard that Henderson was dying of heartbreak. A document was published in London purporting to be a declaration of Mr Alexander Henderson made upon his death-bed and, although this paper was disowned, denounced and shown to be false in the General Assembly of August 1648,
7191-460: The Assembly at Westminster . The Solemn League and Covenant, which pledged both countries to the extirpation of prelacy, leaving further decision as to church government to be decided by the example of the best reformed churches, after undergoing some slight alterations passed both parliaments, the Parliament of Scotland and the Parliament of England , and thus became law for the two kingdoms. By means of it Henderson has had considerable influence on
7344-426: The Assembly of divines at Westminster, to represent there the Church of Scotland, and to obtain the ratification of the Solemn League and Covenant by that Assembly and by both houses of parliament; which was accordingly done on 25 September. During the three following years he remained in London, unremittingly engaged in assisting the Westminster Assembly in preparing the public formularies for the religious union between
7497-401: The Crown, many of the constitutional changes being copied by the English Parliament. However, the Scots were increasingly concerned at their loss of political and economic power since 1603. In an effort to mitigate this, during the 1642–1645 First English Civil War , the Covenanters agreed the 1643 Solemn League and Covenant . One outcome was the creation of the Committee of Both Kingdoms ,
7650-408: The Dictionary of National Biography): Hew Scott's bibliography: Parliament of Scotland The Parliament of Scotland ( Scots : Pairlament o Scotland ; Scottish Gaelic : Pàrlamaid na h-Alba ) was the legislature of the Kingdom of Scotland from the 13th century until 1707. The parliament evolved during the early 13th century from the king's council of bishops and earls , with
7803-437: The English throne was defeated in the 1649–1651 Anglo-Scots War . As a result, Scotland was incorporated into the Protectorate (see Cromwell's Act of Grace and Tender of Union ) and a brief Anglo-Scottish parliamentary union (1653–1659). An independent Parliament was restored in 1661, sometimes known as the "Drunken Parliament". The term was coined by John Welsh and he was put in trial for it. The restored body passed
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#17328483547677956-417: The Honours signifying crown acceptance of the power of Parliament. The Lord High Constable and the Earl Marischal were seated on either side of this table. At the middle table sat the Lord Advocate , the Secretary of State , and the Lord Clerk Register (the senior clerk of parliament), along with the six clerks of Session and Parliament. At the third table, nearest to the burgh and shire commissioners, sat
8109-424: The Lord High Constable, wearing his robes, was seated next to his guards on a chair at the Lady Steps of St Giles' Cathedral , from which he would rise and salute the members of the Parliament as they arrived in Parliament Square. The Earl Marischal, also wearing his robes and seated at the head of his guards at the door of Parliament House, received the members as they entered Parliament House. Half an hour before
8262-470: The Lord Lyon King of Arms. Following them were the Honours of Scotland, accompanied by the macers of the Parliament and the Privy Council , with the Sword of State borne by the Earl of Mar , the Sceptre borne by the Earl of Crawford , and the Crown borne by the Earl of Forfar , on behalf of the Duke of Douglas , the hereditary bearer of the Crown. Then came the Lord High Commissioner , attended by his servants, pages , and footmen , and preceded by
8415-403: The National Covenant of 1580 and 1581, with only some slight changes adapted to the circumstances of the times. It was prepared by Mr. Henderson, assisted by Lord Warrison, Archibald Johnston , an advocate in whom, we are told, the suppliants chiefly confided, and was sworn and subscribed in the Greyfriars' church of Edinburgh, on 28 February 1638, by thousands of the nobility, gentry, ministers of
8568-421: The Riding began, the Lord High Chancellor (the presiding officer of the Parliament), along with the other officers of state who were noblemen, would ride up from the Palace to Parliament House, with the Lord High Chancellor having his purse and mace carried before him, and the Lord President of the Privy Council and the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal riding either side of him. When the Lord High Commissioner
8721-504: The Royal Mile two by two, with each member attended by a certain number of servants (one for every burgh commissioner, two for shire commissioners, three for every lord and viscount, four for every earl, six with every marquess, and eight for each duke). Each noble also had a trainbearer , and the noble’s servants wore over their liveries velvet coats with the noble’s coat of arms and motto embroidered on them. The earls were followed by four trumpeters, four pursuivants, six heralds and
8874-429: The Scottish parliament for the county of Edinburgh from 1643 until 1647, and served on various committees. After the final defeat of Charles, when he had surrendered himself to the Scots, Johnston was made king's advocate in October 1646, and the same year was voted £3000 by the Scottish estates for his services. He continued to oppose concessions to Charles and strongly disapproved of the Engagement concluded in 1648 by
9027-414: The age of sixteen, he matriculated at St Salvator's College , St Andrews, and took his degree of M.A. in 1603. From 1603 to 1611 he was a Regent of Philosophy, and during that period he completed his course in divinity. He adopted strong prelatic principles, and was a staunch upholder of Archbishop Gledstanes , who afterwards became his patron, and presented him to the parish of Leuchars. His settlement
9180-399: The annual election of two commissioners from each shire (except Kinross and Clackmannan, which had one each). The property qualification for voters was for freeholders who held land from the crown of the value of 40s of auld extent. This excluded the growing class of feuars , who would not gain these rights until 1661. The clerical estate was marginalised in Parliament by the Reformation, with
9333-413: The benches to the left of the throne sat the dukes, marquesses, senior earls, viscounts, and senior lords of parliament. On the benches facing the throne sat the burgh commissioners to the right and the shire commissioners to the left. In the middle of the chamber were three tables: on the table nearest the throne were placed the Honours of Scotland (the Crown , sceptre and sword of state), the presence of
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#17328483547679486-473: The cause of the Scottish church was seen by his critics as fanaticism . According to the History by his nephew Gilbert Burnet , he looked on the Covenant as setting Christ on his throne. Johnston had by nature no republican leanings; all the Royalists in Scotland, wrote Robert Baillie as late as 1646, could not have pleaded so much for the Crown and the King's just power as the Chancellor and Warriston did for many days together. When, however, Presbyterianism
9639-426: The ceremony was held wherever Parliament met and involved a largely equestrian procession of the members of the Parliament, the officers of state, the Honours of Scotland, and the monarch (or the Lord High Commissioner) from the royal palace or castle to the Parliament’s place of assembly. From the beginning of the 16th-century the Riding of Parliament was usually held in Edinburgh , with the procession travelling along
9792-415: The constitution of the Church. On the 31st of the same month, he was called upon to preach at the opening of parliament, on which occasion he delivered an excellent discourse, in which he treated, with consummate ability, of the end, duties, and utility of magistrates. He was again Moderator in 1639. The king having refused to ratify some of the points agreed upon at the late pacification, suddenly prorogued
9945-481: The crown to Mary and her husband William , placed important limitations on royal power, including the abolition of the Lords of the Articles. It has been argued that unlike its English counterpart, the Scottish parliament never became a true centre of national identity. The 1707 Acts of Union created a combined Parliament of Great Britain , which sat in Westminster and largely continued English traditions without interruption. Robert Burns famously claimed Union
10098-421: The difficult negotiations that ensued, he behaved with great prudence and candour. At the subsequent meeting of the Assembly, in August of that year, John Stewart, 2nd Earl of Traquair , commissioner from his majesty, earnestly desired that Mr. Henderson might be re-elected moderator, a proposition strenuously opposed by Mr. Henderson himself, and rejected by the Assembly, a constant moderatorship being contrary to
10251-425: The document was used by Clarendon as giving the impression that Henderson had recanted. Its foundation was probably certain expressions lamenting Scottish interference in English affairs. The failure of this last enterprise was fatal to Henderson's already broken health. In June 1645 he had suffered from gravel, and tried the Epsom waters; he now showed symptoms of decline. Baillie, on 7 August, wrote that he heard he
10404-490: The effect that they should take steps for drawing up a Confession of Faith, Catechism, Directory of Worship, and Form of Government; and remitted to him to prepare the necessary drafts of these documents. On 14 August, the king arrived at Edinburgh to be present at the parliament; on which occasion, wishing to conciliate the presbyterian party, he appointed Mr. Henderson his chaplain. During his majesty's residence in Edinburgh, he performed family worship every morning and evening at
10557-458: The end closest to the throne, sat the archbishops and bishops until the abolition of the episcopacy in 1689. From then onwards all of the benches to the right of the throne were occupied by the more junior earls and lords of parliament, with the end section of these benches that was farthest from the throne occupied by the non-voting eldest sons and heirs of the nobles, where they could observe business with an eye to their future responsibilities. On
10710-404: The energy and the tact necessary for securing it. It would have been an inestimable advantage for the universities of Scotland if his life could have been prolonged for twenty years " (Grant's Univ. of Edinburgh, i., 209). During the year 1642, the time of the English Civil War , Henderson was employed in managing the correspondence with England respecting ecclesiastical reformation and union. He
10863-399: The ensuing Assembly he entered into a long and impassioned vindication of his conduct. His brethren unanimously expressed their sympathy, and assured him of their continued confidence; on which we are told he recovered his cheerfulness. In 1641, he preached before King Charles at Holyrood , and was made Dean of the Chapel Royal . A third time he was Moderator, 2 August 1643, and was elected
11016-480: The famous Assembly which met in Glasgow on 21 November 1638. He was chosen moderator by acclamation, being, as Baillie says, incomparable the ablest man of us all for all things. James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton , was the king's commissioner ; and when the Assembly insisted on proceeding with the trial of the bishops, he formally dissolved the meeting under pain of treason. Acting on the constitutional principle that
11169-419: The first identifiable parliament being held in 1235 during the reign of Alexander II , when it already possessed a political and judicial role. A unicameral institution, for most of its existence the Parliament consisted of the three estates of clergy , nobility , and the burghs . By the 1690s it comprised the nobility, the shires , the burghs, and various officers of state . Parliament gave consent for
11322-417: The floor of the chamber. The Lord High Constable was responsible for the outer security of Parliament House, including the doors and the keys to the chamber, and their authority extended to the outer bar before the actual floor of the chamber. The Earl Marischal maintained order within the chamber, and their authority extended from the outer bar to the inner bar, at the foot of the throne. The Constable had
11475-494: The formal abolition of Episcopacy, Mr. Henderson terminated the proceedings with an eloquent and impressive address to the members of the Assembly, concluding with these striking words: — "We have now cast down the walls of Jericho; let him that re-buildeth them beware of the curse of Hiel the Bethelite!" Before the rising of the Assembly two supplications were given in, the one containing a call to Mr. Henderson from St. Andrews, and
11628-430: The funds, formerly belonging to the bishopric of Edinburgh, applied to the metropolitan university. The following year Henderson, whose policy was to keep Scotland neutral in the war which had now broken out between the king and the parliament, was engaged in corresponding with England on ecclesiastical topics; and shortly afterwards he was sent to Oxford to mediate between the king and his parliament but his mission proved
11781-518: The gospel, burgesses, and others. Mr. Henderson addressed the vast multitude assembled with great fervour and eloquence, aud the enthusiasm of the people knew no bounds. He was subsequently sent with several noblemen, and Messrs. Cant and Dickson, to Aberdeen, to prevail on the inhabitants of that city to take the Covenant, and, after urging upon them the strongest arguments in favour of the document, no less than 500 persons subscribed it, many of them being of
11934-641: The government of the Duke of Hamilton with Charles at Carisbrooke , which, while securing little for Presbyterianism , committed the Scots to hostilities with the English Parliament and the New Model Army . Warriston now became one of the leaders of the Kirk Party opposed to the Engagement, and during the ascendancy of the Engagers retired to Kintyre as the guest of the Marquess of Argyll . He returned again after
12087-480: The highest degree to the people, he became a watchful and earnest minister, and a resolute champion in the cause of Presbyterianism. He now became thoroughly convinced that the proceedings of the prelatical party were injurious to the interests of religion, and he resolved at once to take part with the Presbyterians. His first appearance in that connection was at the Perth Assembly of 1618, when he strenuously opposed
12240-540: The highest respectability. Mainly through Henderson's influence the National League and Covenant was signed, 21 February 1638, and he was Moderator of the Assembly which met at Glasgow, 21 November of the same year. On 1 March 1638 the public signing of the National Covenant began in Greyfriars Kirk , Edinburgh. Henderson was mainly responsible for the final form of this document, which consisted of: Owing to
12393-454: The history of Great Britain. As Scottish commissioner to the Westminster Assembly he was in England from August 1643 till August 1646 and his principal work was the drafting of the Directory for Public Worship . Early in 1645 Henderson was sent to the Treaty of Uxbridge to aid the commissioners of the two parliaments in negotiating with the king but nothing came of the conference. In 1646
12546-401: The important constitutional point of the control of state appointments, supporting the claims of the parliament by an appeal to the state records he had succeeded in recovering. In September, Johnston received public thanks for his services from the Scottish parliament, and, in accordance with the policy of conciliation then pursued for a short time by the King, was appointed on 13 November 1641
12699-483: The influence of Archbishop Gladstanes , presented to the church living of Leuchars , Fifeshire , and was in 1615 inducted forcibly into the charge. He was then a supporter of episcopacy ; he subsequently changed his views and became a zealous upholder of Presbyterianism . He opposed the adoption of the Five Articles of Perth in 1618, and resisted the use of the Scottish Prayer Book in 1637. He drafted both
12852-492: The institution returned to prominence, and arguably enjoyed its greatest period of power over the Crown after the return of James I from English captivity in 1424. By the end of the Middle Ages the Parliament had evolved from the King's Council of Bishops and Earls into a "colloquium" with a political and judicial role. The attendance of knights and freeholders had become important, and burgh commissioners joined them to form
13005-685: The interests of William of Orange just before the Glorious Revolution of 1688. In 1692 he was appointed one of the secretaries for Scotland , but he was dismissed from office in 1696. Under Queen Anne , however, he began again to take part in public affairs, and was made Lord Clerk Register . Johnston's later years were passed mainly at his residence (much later known as Orleans House) Twickenham , and he died at Bath in May 1737 (see separate article). Alexander Henderson (theologian) Christianity • Protestantism Alexander Henderson ( c. 1583 – 19 August 1646)
13158-417: The interests of that learned seminary. Besides devoting his especial attention to the education of candidates for the ministry, he instituted a professorship of oriental languages, a department previously much neglected. In 1640 Henderson was elected by the town council rector of Edinburgh University , an office to which he was annually re-elected till his death. The Pacification of Birks had been wrung from
13311-458: The king and the Scots , seeing that he was preparing for the Second Bishops' War, took the initiative and pressed into England so vigorously that Charles had again to yield. The maturing of the treaty of peace took a considerable time and Henderson was again active in the negotiations, first at Ripon (1 October) and afterwards in London. While he was in London he had a personal interview with
13464-538: The king joined the Scottish Army ; and, after retiring with them to Newcastle-upon-Tyne , he sent for Henderson, and discussed with him the two systems of church government in a number of papers. Meanwhile, Henderson was failing in health. He sailed to Scotland, and eight days after his arrival died, on 19 August 1646. He was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard , Edinburgh; the grave lies in the southwest section near
13617-513: The king over to Presbyterianism. He died at Edinburgh on 19 August 1646. At the Restoration the inscriptions on his tombstone were obliterated; they were restored at the Glorious Revolution . Alexander Henderson was born at Guthrie, in the Fife parish of Creich, in 1583. Of his parentage and family history hardly anything is known. Tradition, following from Wodrow, says he was the son of a feuar , and
13770-487: The king with the view of obtaining assistance for the Scottish universities from money formerly applied to the support of the bishops. On Henderson's return to Edinburgh in July 1641, the Assembly was sitting at St Andrews . To suit the convenience of the parliament , however, it removed to Edinburgh. On his return to Edinburgh, in July 1641, he was again chosen moderator of the General Assembly. In this Assembly he proposed that
13923-458: The king's farther pleasure should be known. Charles, however, only the more peremptorily insisted that the service book should be received; and from this time forward Mr. Henderson took a prominent share in all the proceedings of the nonconformists. A great number of the nobility, gentry, clergymen, and representatives of burghs, with others, had assembled in Edinburgh from all parts of the country; and after another supplication had been presented to
14076-446: The king's interests, until they were excluded in 1641. James VI continued to manage parliament through the Lords of the Articles, who deliberated legislation before it reached the full parliament. He controlled the committee by filling it with royal officers as non-elected members, but was forced to limit this to eight from 1617. In the second half of the sixteenth century, Parliament began to legislate on more and more matters and there
14229-565: The king's right to convene did not interfere with the church's independent right to hold assemblies, they sat till 20 December, deposed all the Scottish bishops, excommunicated a number of them, repealed all acts favouring episcopacy, and reconstituted the Scottish Kirk on thorough Presbyterian principles. During the sitting of this Assembly it was carried by a majority of seventy-five votes that Henderson should be transferred to Edinburgh. He had been at Leuchars for about twenty-three years and
14382-464: The lairds of each shire the right to send two commissioners to every parliament. These shire commissioners attended from 1592 onwards, although they shared one vote until 1638 when they secured a vote each. The number of burghs with the right to send commissioners to parliament increased quite markedly in the late 16th and early 17th centuries until, in the 1640s, they often constituted the largest single estate in Parliament. The first printed edition of
14535-455: The laymen who had acquired the monasteries sitting as "abbots" and "priors". Catholic clergy were excluded after 1567, but a small number of Protestant bishops continued as the clerical estate. James VI attempted to revive the role of the bishops from about 1600. A further group appeared in the Parliament from the minority of James VI in the 1560s, with members of the Privy Council representing
14688-457: The legislation of the Parliament, The New Actis and Constitutionis , was published in Edinburgh in 1542 by the printer Thomas Davidson under commission from James V . Victory the same year in the early stages of the 1639–1652 War of the Three Kingdoms brought the Covenanters to power, with bishops being expelled from both kirk and Parliament. Control of the executive was taken from
14841-401: The mediation of Scotland; but the infatuated monarch, instead of making some concessions for the sake of peace, endeavoured to convince him of the justice of his cause, defended all his proceedings, and expressed his high indignation at the interest which the Scots took in the reformation of the church in England. On Henderson's return to Edinburgh, his conduct throughout this delicate negotiation
14994-403: The middle of May, and received a welcome reception from the king, but soon perceived that Charles was as unwilling as ever to consent to the establishment of presbyterianism. It was agreed that the scruples which the king entertained should be discussed in a series of papers between his majesty and Mr. Henderson. These continued from 29 May to 15 July. They are eight in number, five by the king, who
15147-512: The monasteries and those sitting as "abbots" and "priors" were now, effectively, part of the estate of nobles. The bishops continued to sit in Parliament regardless of whether they conformed to Protestantism or not. This resulted in pressure from the Kirk to reform ecclesiastical representation in Parliament. Catholic clergy were excluded after 1567 but Protestant bishops continued as the clerical estate until their abolition in 1638 when Parliament became an entirely lay assembly. An act of 1587 granted
15300-407: The nature of religion in the country, disregarding royal authority in 1560. The 1560 parliament included 100 lairds , who were predominantly Protestant, and who claimed a right to sit in the Parliament under the provision of a failed shire election act of 1428. Their position in the parliament remained uncertain and their presence fluctuated until the 1428 act was revived in 1587 and provision made for
15453-399: The next eighteen years we know little or nothing. With the memorable year 1637 Henderson reappears on the scene, a keen opponent of the Scottish Prayer Book , also known as "Laud's Liturgy," which King Charles was determined to foist on the Church. In common with other ministers, he had been charged to purchase two copies of the liturgy for the use of his parish within fifteen days, under
15606-402: The opening of Parliament House in 1639. The chamber was arranged in a square, non-confrontational layout where all the members looked in upon the throne. As parliament was also the highest court in the kingdom, a court bar – the inner bar – was located before the throne for accused to present themselves. There was also an outer bar beyond which only members or invited individuals could pass onto
15759-443: The other from Edinburgh. Being much attached to his own parish of Leuchars, of which he had been minister for eighteen years, he expressed his unwillingness to remove from it, pleading that he was now too old a plant to take root in another soil. It was carried, however, by seventy-five votes, that he should be translated to Edinburgh; to which he consented, on condition that when old age should overtake him, he should again be removed to
15912-410: The other side at first nothing but vague assurances. In October Johnston was a commissioner for negotiating the Treaty of Ripon and went to London. After the peace he continued to urge punishment of the incendiaries, especially of Traquair , and in a private interview with the king strongly opposed the proposed act of general oblivion. On the King's arrival in Scotland in 1641 he led the opposition on
16065-417: The pain of rebellion. He immediately went to Edinburgh, and, 23 August, presented a petition to the privy council, representing that the service book had not received the sanction of the General Assembly, nor was recognised by an act of parliament, and praying a suspension of the charge. To this remonstrance the council returned a favourable answer, and the reading of the liturgy was ordered to be suspended until
16218-543: The palace, and frequently preached before him in the chapel-royal at Holyroodhouse. At this parliament the revenues of the bishoprics were divided; and by Mr. Henderson's exertions, what belonged to the bishopric and priory of Edinburgh were bestowed on the university. As a recompence for his own laborious and expensive services in the cause of the public, the emoluments of the chapel-royal, amounting to about 4,000 merks a-year, were conferred upon him. Some reports injurious to his character having been industriously circulated, in
16371-516: The parliament, denounced the Covenanters as rebels, and prepared again to invade Scotland. But the successes of the Scots army, which entered England in August 1640, compelled him to accede to another proposition for peace; and a conference was begun at Rippon, which, in a short time after, was transferred to London. Mr. Henderson was appointed one of the commissioners, on the part of the Church, to conclude
16524-407: The parliaments of England and Scotland in conducting the treaty between them and the king at Uxbridge. On the breaking off of the treaty he returned to London. In the spring of 1646, when the king had thrown himself into the hands of the Scottish army, he sent for Mr. Henderson, who was considered the most competent person to deal with his majesty in his then circumstances. He arrived at Newcastle about
16677-403: The privy council, praying them to bring the matter again before the king, a proclamation from his majesty was made, requiring all persons to depart to their homes within twenty-four hours, on pain of being denounced rebels. Instead of dispersing, the leaders of the popular party, after some farther ineffectual petitions to the king, resolved to appeal to the people, and the result was the renewal of
16830-451: The prophesies of Margaret Mitchelson who predicted the success of the National Covenant. Johnston was appointed clerk to the Tables (the revolutionary executive) and also clerk and afterwards procurator or counsel to the General Assembly held at Glasgow the same year, when he discovered and presented several missing volumes of records. In June 1639 he took part in the negotiations leading to
16983-401: The raising of taxation and played an important role in the administration of justice, foreign policy, war, and the passing of a broad range of legislation . Parliamentary business was also carried out by "sister" institutions, such as General Councils or Conventions of Estates , which could both carry out much business dealt with by parliament, but lacked the powers and ultimate authority of
17136-486: The reformation in 1559, ecclesiastical representation continued in parliament, with the archbishop of St Andrews and the bishops of Dunblane and Dunkeld providing a Catholic clerical presence until April 1567, alongside the Protestant bishops of Galloway, Orkney and Moray. Thereafter, only Protestant archbishops and bishops were allowed to sit in parliament, alongside those representing abbeys and priories. The clerical estate
17289-430: The reign of David II, the " three estates " (a phrase that replaced "community of the realm" at this time) in Parliament were certainly able to oppose the King when necessary. Most notably, Parliament repeatedly prevented David from accepting an English succession to the throne. During the reigns of Robert II and Robert III , Parliament appears to have been held less often, and royal power in that period also declined, but
17442-541: The restoration of the Rump, he was chosen a member of the Council of State and continued in the administration as a member of the Committee of Public Safety . Johnston lived in a mansion house at the foot of Warriston Close in Edinburgh (so named in his honour) on its east side, which had previously been home to Sir Lewis Craig . At the Restoration Warriston was excluded from the general pardon. On 1 February 1661 he
17595-410: The same year, 21 November 1638, the first that had been held for a long period, Mr. Henderson, now the acknowledged leader of the clergy, was unanimously chosen moderator. And in that difficult and trying situation, he conducted himself with a resolution and prudence, and at the same time with a forbearance and moderation, befitting the occasion. After the deposition and excommunication of the bishops, and
17748-400: The skill shown on this occasion he seems to have been applied to when any manifesto of unusual ability was required. In July of the same year he proceeded to the north to debate on the Covenant with the famous Aberdeen doctors but he was not well received. Robert Baillie wrote: "The Voyd church was made fast, and the keys kept by the magistrate". Henderson's next public opportunity was in
17901-581: The three estates to draft legislation which was then presented to the full assembly to be confirmed. After 1424, Parliament was often willing to defy the King – it was far from being simply a "rubber stamp" of royal decisions. During the 15th century, Parliament was called far more often than, for instance, the English Parliament – on average over once a year – a fact that both reflected and augmented its influence. It repeatedly opposed James I's (1424–1437) requests for taxation to pay an English ransom in
18054-518: The three kingdoms. A memorable meeting of the General Assembly was held in August 1643. Henderson was elected moderator for the third time. He presented a draft of the famous Solemn League and Covenant , which was received with great enthusiasm. Unlike the National Covenant of 1638, which applied to Scotland only, this document was common to the two kingdoms. Henderson, Baillie, Rutherford and others were sent up to London to represent Scotland in
18207-403: The treaty, and during all the time of his residence in London, which was protracted for nine months, he exerted himself, by preaching and otherwise, to promote the views of the commissioners; and wrote a variety of able tracts and papers, some of which were published without his name, while others were laid before the commissioners and parliament of England. Before he left London he was admitted to
18360-435: The university more efficient, resolved to appoint annually a rector of that institution, and unanimously elected Mr. Henderson to the situation. He was empowered to superintend all matters connected with the conduct of the principal and professors, the education of the students, and the disposal of the revenues. In this office, which he appears to have enjoyed, by re-election, to his death, he exerted himself sedulously to promote
18513-468: The wrath of authority." In August 1619 he appeared before the Court of High Commission charged with the publication of a pamphlet denouncing the Perth Assembly. On their appearance, Mr. Henderson answered the accusation with so much eloquence and truth, that the bishops could gain no advantage over him and his friends, and were obliged to dismiss them with threatenings, and Henderson returned to his parish. Of
18666-501: Was Lord of Session as Lord Warriston in 1641. In 1643 as commissioner for Midlothian he opposed neutrality in English affairs . He played a prominent part in the Westminster Assembly , and in 1644 became a member of the Committee of Both Kingdoms representing Scotland in London. Named King's Advocate by Charles I in 1646, he resisted the Engagement of 1648, and may have drawn up
18819-414: Was 'dying most of heartbreak.' He sailed from Newcastle to Leith, and got home to Edinburgh. Here he dined with Sir James Stewart, and was extremely cheerful and hearty, but said, 'there was never a schoolboy more desirous to have the play than I am to have leave of this world.' He made his will on 17 August, and died on 19 August 1646. In the beginning of 1645 he was appointed to assist the commissioners of
18972-592: Was a Scottish theologian, and an important ecclesiastical statesman of his period. He is considered the second founder of the Reformed Church in Scotland. He was one of the most eminent ministers of the Church of Scotland in the most important period of her history, namely, previous to the middle of the seventeenth century. Alexander Henderson was born in 1583, and studied at the University of St. Andrews . He was, through
19125-454: Was a man of great energy, industry and ability, and played a large part in the defence of the Presbyterian settlement of 1638. He is described by his contemporary Robert Baillie as “one of the most faithful and diligent and able servants that our church and kingdom has had all the tymes of our troubles.” He was learned in Scottish law, eloquent and deeply religious. His passionate devotion to
19278-420: Was a marked increase in the amount of legislation it produced. During the reign of James VI, the Lords of the Articles came more under the influence of the crown. By 1612, they sometimes seem to have been appointed by the Crown rather than Parliament, and as a result the independence of parliament was perceived by contemporaries to have been eroded. During the 16th century, the composition of Parliament underwent
19431-403: Was a singular coincidence in the applicability of the text which he chose, to the remarkable circumstances which attended Henderson's induction to his charge. Robert Bruce's sermon made such a powerful impression upon him that it effected an entire change in his religious conduct and sentiments; and from being a careless and indifferent pastor over his flock, and an upholder of a system odious in
19584-502: Was a son of James Johnston (died 1617), a merchant burgess of Edinburgh . He was baptised on 28 March 1611, educated at the University of Glasgow , and admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1633. Johnston first came to public notice in 1637 during Charles I 's attempt to force an Episcopalian liturgy upon Scotland. As the chief adviser of the covenanting leaders Johnston drew up their remonstrances. On 22 February 1638, in reply to
19737-417: Was a trend seen in other European nations as monarchical power grew stronger – for instance England under Henry VII , as well as France and Spain. Like many continental assemblies, the Scottish Parliament was being called less frequently by the early sixteenth century and might have been dispensed with by the crown had it not been for the series of minorities and regencies that dominated from 1513. The crown
19890-573: Was abolished between 1639 and 1662, and then again from 1689 when bishops themselves were removed from the Church of Scotland , as a result of the Glorious Revolution and the accession of William II . When no members of the First Estate remained, the Second Estate was then split, to retain the division into three. From the 16th century, the second estate was reorganised by the selection of Shire Commissioners : this has been argued to have created
20043-455: Was also able to call a Convention of Estates , which was quicker to assemble and could issue laws like parliament, making them invaluable in a crisis, but they could only deal with a specific issue and were more resistant to the giving of taxation rights to the crown. Parliament played a major part in the Reformation crisis of the mid-sixteenth century. It had been used by James V to uphold Catholic orthodoxy and asserted its right to determine
20196-639: Was also carried out by "sister" institutions, before c. 1500 by General Council and thereafter by the Convention of Estates . These could carry out much business also dealt with by Parliament – taxation, legislation and policy-making – but lacked the ultimate authority of a full parliament. The Scottish parliament met in a number of different locations throughout its history. In addition to Edinburgh , meetings were held in Perth , Stirling , St Andrews , Dundee , Linlithgow , Dunfermline , Glasgow , Aberdeen , Inverness and Berwick-upon-Tweed . The Lord Chancellor
20349-444: Was appointed Lord Clerk Register . In May he pronounced the sentence of death on Montrose and is said to have witnessed along with Argyll the victim being drawn to the place of execution. He was present at the battle of Dunbar (3 September 1650) as a member of the Committee of Estates . After the defeat he urged the removal of General Leslie, afterwards Lord Newark, from the command of the Scottish army, and on 21 September delivered
20502-625: Was assisted by Sir Robert Murray, and three by his reverend opponent. Mr. Henderson's health being much impaired, he was obliged to remove by sea to Edinburgh, where he died, 19 August 1646, in the 63d year of his age. His body was interred in the Greyfriars churchyard, where a monument was erected by his nephew to his memory. Citations Sources For a modern bibliography see L. Charles Jackson Pringle Thomson bibliography: Alexander Gordon's bibliography (the Unitarian minister wrote an article in
20655-759: Was assured by the guards of the Lord High Constable and the Earl Marischal , who were lined up from the door of Parliament House to the Royal Mile. Citizens of Edinburgh, with arms , lined both sides of the Royal Mile from Parliament Square to the Netherbow Port , and the foot guards lined both sides from the Netherbow Port to the Palace. Having carried out a thorough inspection of the Parliament House,
20808-496: Was attacked and menaced by the Sovereign, he desired, like John Pym , to restrict the royal prerogative by a parliamentary constitution, and endeavoured to found his arguments on law and ancient precedents. Johnston's acceptance of office under Cromwell hardly deserves the severe censure it has received. In both politics and religion he stood nearer to Cromwell than the royalists, and was able to offer useful service in office. Johnston
20961-575: Was brought about by Scots " bought and sold for English gold " and bribery certainly played a prominent role. However, it was also driven by the same trends the Scots attempted to manage in the 1640s, worsened by the events of the 1690s; this was a time of economic hardship and famine in many parts of Europe, known in Scotland as the Seven ill years . Combined with the failure of the Darién scheme in 1698, it allowed Anne to achieve her great-grandfather's ambition of
21114-674: Was brought to England and imprisoned in the Tower of London . In June he was taken to Edinburgh and confined in the Tolbooth . He was hanged on 22 July at the Mercat Cross, Edinburgh, the scene of many of his triumphs, and around 100 yards from his own house off the High Street . His severed head was displayed on the Netherbow (town gate) and afterwards buried with his body in Greyfriars Kirkyard . Johnston
21267-586: Was conclusively out of the control of James III . It refused to forfeit his brother, the Duke of Albany , despite a royal siege of the Duke's castle, tried to prevent the King leading his army against the English (a powerful indication of the estates' lack of faith in their monarch), and appointed men to the Lords of the Articles and important offices who were shortly to remove the King from power. James IV (1488–1513) realised that Parliament could often create more problems than it solved, and avoided meetings after 1509. This
21420-519: Was extremely reluctant to leave it. While Scotland and England were preparing for the First Bishops' War , Henderson drew up two papers, entitled respectively The Remonstrance of the Nobility and Instructions for Defensive Arms . The first of these documents he published himself; the second was published against his wish by John Corbet , a deposed minister. The text was written in haste in 1639 and
21573-506: Was far from always being the case. Indeed, in March 1482, the committee was taken over by men shortly to be involved in a coup d'état against the King and his government. On other occasions the committee was so large that it could hardly have been easier to control than the full assembly. More generally, the committee was a pragmatic means to delegate the complicated drafting of acts to those members of parliament skilled in law and letters – not unlike
21726-501: Was immediately drawn up. Warriston, along with some of the more implacable Presbyterians, drew up a Remonstrance or Protest against this move. The Act of Classes was duly abandoned, but the division between the majority Resolutioners and the minority Protestors was to haunt the Church of Scotland for decades after. In the autumn of 1656 Warriston went to London as representative of the Remonstrants; and soon afterwards, on 9 July 1657, he
21879-435: Was pronounced by the General Assembly to have been "faithful and wise." In 1643 he was, for the third time, chosen moderator of the General Assembly — an occasion which was rendered remarkable by the presence of the English commissioners sent down by the parliament to crave their aid and connsel in the then critical circumstances of both kingdoms. He was appointed one of the commissioners who soon after went to London to attend
22032-710: Was ready, the Riding would begin, with the Lord Clerk Register holding the roll of Parliament and the Lord Lyon King of Arms calling the names of each member in the order in which they were to ride. The procession was headed by soldiers of the Troop of Life Guard , followed by two trumpeters and two pursuivants. Parliament then proceeded in an agreed order by estate , with the most senior riding last – burgh commissioners, shire commissioners, lords of parliament , viscounts , earls , marquesses , and dukes . The members rode up
22185-464: Was restored by Cromwell to his office of Lord Clerk Register , and on 3 November was appointed a commissioner for the administration of justice in Scotland, henceforth remaining a member of the government until the Restoration . In January 1658 he was included by Cromwell in his new House of Lords and sat also in the upper chamber in Richard Cromwell 's parliament. Upon the latter's abdication and
22338-482: Was so unpopular that on the day of his ordination, probably in January 1614, the church doors were found securely nailed up, and he and his friends were obliged to enter by the window. Mr. Henderson at first showed but little concern for the spiritual interests of his people; but his sentiments and character soon underwent a complete change. A Communion sermon preached in a neighbouring parish by Robert Bruce of Kinnaird ,
22491-452: Was soon after chosen one of the commissioners appointed to proceed to that country, but was for some time delayed by the civil war. Anxious to effect a reconciliation between Charles and his English subjects, he joined with some other leading men in an invitation to the queen to come to Scotland; but this proposition was rejected by the king. Accompanied by the other commissioners, he next went to Oxford, where his majesty then was, to offer him
22644-794: Was such that the Crown turned to corruption and political management to undermine its autonomy in the latter period. Nonetheless, the period from 1690 to 1707 was one in which political "parties" and alliances were formed within parliament in a maturing atmosphere of rigorous debate. The disputes over the English Act of Settlement 1701 , the Scottish Act of Security , and the English Alien Act 1705 showed that both sides were prepared to take considered yet considerable risks in their relationships. Between 1235 and 1286, little can be told with certainty about Parliament's function, but it appears to have had
22797-466: Was summoned along with John Home of Kello, William Dundas of Magdalens and others to appear before Parliament on a charge of high treason. He had already fled to Holland and thence to Hamburg in Germany, so he was condemned to death (and stripped of his properties and title) in absentia on 15 May 1661. In 1663, having ventured into France, he was discovered at Rouen , and with the consent of Louis XIV
22950-815: Was the presiding officer of the Parliament of Scotland, as was the case in the English House of Lords . As the Lord Chancellor was also the principal Officer of State , the Keeper of the Great Seal , the presiding officer of the Privy Council , and a judge of the College of Justice , the office never developed into a parliamentary office similar in nature to that of the Speaker of the House of Commons in England. An act of 1428 which created
23103-473: Was the closest equivalent of the office of Member of Parliament in the Parliament of England of the time, namely a commoner or member of the lower nobility. Because the parliament of Scotland was unicameral, all members sat in the same chamber , in contrast to the separate English House of Lords and House of Commons . The Scottish parliament evolved during the Middle Ages from the King's Council. It
23256-532: Was the means of changing Henderson's spiritual outlook. Attracted by the fame of the preacher, he slipped (so goes the story) into the darkest corner of the church, hoping to steal out again unrecognised. Bruce chose for his text the words: "He that entereth not by the door," etc. This passage, so applicable to his situation, and the sermon which followed, made such an impression on his mind as led to an entire change in his views and conduct. Bruce, nevertheless, seems to have been aware of his presence; or, if not, there
23409-661: Was wanting in tact and in consideration for his opponents, confessing himself that his natural temper (or rather distemper) "hath been hasty and passionate". He was disliked by Charles I and hated by Charles II, whom he rebuked for lack of commitment to the Covenants; but he was associated in private friendship and public life with Argyll. He had a large family, the most famous of his sons being James Johnston (1643–1737), known as Secretary Johnston. Having taken refuge in Holland after his father's execution, Johnston crossed over to England in
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