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Country code |
GB |
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Repository code |
234 |
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Organisation |
NAS |
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Repository |
National Records of Scotland |
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Reference |
JC26/78 |
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Title |
High Court of Justiciary processes |
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Dates |
1696 |
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Access status |
Open |
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Description |
JC26/78/1/1-15 consists of criminal process against Thomas Aikenhead, student of divinity, for blasphemy, 1696: (1) Extract act and remit of the Privy Council for pursuing Thomas Aikenhead before the Lords of Justiciary for blasphemy, 10 Nov 1696 [cf. text printed in TB Howell, 'State Trials' xiii (1812), 920-921]. (2) Petition by Sir James Stewart, Lord Advocate, to Lords of Justiciary for warrand and diligence to summon Aikenhead, prisoner in Edinburgh Tolbooth, to compear before them on 14 Dec, and for summoning witnesses and assisers, nd, endorsed by Lord Justice Clerk, 'fiat ut petitur' to 27 Dec, 27 Nov 1696. (3) Letters of diligence by Lord Advocate in the above terms, 27 Nov 1696. (4) Execution of summons of Aikenhead, 28 Nov, with execution of delivery of name of James Lafreire, writer in Edinburgh, as an additional witness, 10 Dec 1696. (5) Execution of summons of witnesses against Aikenhead, 5 and 10 Dec 1696. (6) Execution of summons of Mr Adam Mitchell, schoolmaster at Prestonhaugh, as witness, 7 Dec 1696. (7) List of witnesses adduced at instance of HM Advocate against Aikenhead, nd. (8) Execution of summons and list of the assise, 9-11 Dec 1696, endorsed with the Lord Justice Clerk's decision to fine 6 of them 100 merks Scots for non-compearance, 23 Dec 1696. (9) List of the assise against Aikenhead, nd. (10) Petition by William Menzies to Lords of Justiciary excusing his absence from the assise, nd. (11) Indictment by Lord Advocate against Aikenhead for blasphemy, railing against and cursing Jessu Christ, impugning and denying the truth of Scripture, and quarrelling and arguing against the being of God, [Dec 1696]. (12) Petition by Aikenhead to the Lords of Justiciary to desert the diet; text as printed in 'State Trials' xiii, 921-923n, but bears Mungo Craig's name as the supplier of books, Aikenhead's signature, and his autograph plea for 'mercy and compassion' with a second signature, nd [Dec 1696]. (13) Defences for Aikenhead against HM Advocate's libel, referring to his earlier petition (possibly no. 12) and bearing his signature, 1696. (14) Verdict of guilty by the assise, with list of the assisers and remains of seals, 23 Dec 1696. (15) Copy of sentence of Lords of Justiciary against Aikenhead, who is to be hung at the gallowtree on 8 Jan 1697, 23 December 1696. |
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Level |
File |
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Related material |
JC2/19, JC6/14, PC1/51, p.29, PC4/2 |
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