Lyon King of Arms Act 1592

(1) OURE Souerane Lord and estaitis of this present parliament Considdering the greit abuse that hes bene amongis the leigis of this realme in thair bearing of armes vsurpand to thame selffis sic armes as belangis nocht vnto thame Sua that it can nocht be distinguischit be thair armes quha ar gentlemen of blude be thair antecessouris Nor yit may it be decernit quhat gentlemen ar discendit of noble stok and linage ffor remeid quhairof his hienes with aduise of the saidis estaitis hes gevin and grantit and be this present act gevis and grantis full power and commissioun to lyoun king of armes and his brether herauldis To visite the haill armes of noblemen baronis and gentlemen borne and vsit within this realme And to distinguische and discerne thame with congruent differences and thaireftir to matriculat thame in thair buikis and Registeris And to put inhibitioun to all the commoun sort of people nocht worthie be the law of armes to beir ony signes armoriallis That nane of thame presume or tak vpoun hand to beare or vse ony armes in tyme cuming vpoun ony thair insicht or houshald geir vnder the pane of the escheating of the guidis and geir sa oft as thay salbe fund contravenand this present act quhaireuir the same armes salbe found grawin and paintit to our souerane lordis vse And lykwayis vnder the pane of ane hundreth pundis to the vse of the said lyoun and his brether herauldis And failyeing of payment thairof That thay be incarcerat in the narrest prissone Thairin to remane vpoun thair awin chargis during the plesur of the said Lyoun

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F1

(3) ITEM In consideratioun of the greit abuse of . . . F2 officiaris of armez within this realme quhilkis for the maist pairt ar nocht qualifiet for vsing of the said office Being admittit be extraordinar and Inoportune suittis Be quhais abuse the leigis of this realme ar heavelie trublit and opprest Thairfoir It is statute and ordanit that the said king of armez be aduise of the lordis of counsaill and sessioun deprive and discharge all sic officiaris . . . F2 of armes as he sall find vnworthie of the office and tak sicker souirtie of the remanent for thair obseruatioun of thair Iniunctionis in tyme cuming . . . F2

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F1

(5) ITEM Last that becaus the Jurisdictioun of the lyoun king of armez is nocht able to execute dew pvnisment vpoun all personis that salhappin to offend in the office of armez Thairfoir our souerane lord with auise of his estaitis in parliament Ordanis and commandis all ciuile Magistratis as thay salbe requirit be the king of armez or ony vtheris in his Name To concur with him To sie the actis maid in his fauouris of his office put to dew executioun in thair iurisdictionis As alsua To concur with him to the pvneisment . . . F2 of all sic personis as sall vsurp the bearing of his Maiesties armes efter dew depriuatioun . . . F2

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. (2), (4) repealed by Statute Law Revision (Scotland) Act 1906 (c. 38)

F2 Words repealed by Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 (c. 18, SIF 45:2), s. 108, Sch. 7 paras. 5, 9(1), Sch. 8