sign in sign up
<<
Home , 6th Scottish Parliament, John Balliol, Robert McIntyre, Scottish Office, Scottish Parliament

The Scottish - Past and Present

Find out how the has evolved through the ages, from the assembly meetings of nobles and churchmen in 1235 to the modern Parliament that exists today.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

© Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body 1235 1293 THE FIRST MENTION OF A THE EARLIEST SURVIVING ROLL SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT FROM PARLIAMENT The use of the word ‘colloquium’ in this The official seal of John Balliol. This seal, act, referring to a meeting at Kirkliston in showing the King on his throne, was attached 1235, marks the first surviving evidence for a to documents as a sign of royal approval. parliamentary assembly in . The earliest official parliamentary roll dates This is the earliest written mention of a from the first Parliament of John Balliol, who Parliament; it refers to an assembly held at was King of Scots from 1292 to 1296. It records Kirkliston on the outskirts of . The what happened at the parliamentary session of Parliament developed from meetings of the February 1293. “King’s great council”, which were gatherings of nobles and churchmen who advised the king on policy and justice issues.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 2 1309 1357 DECLARATION OF THE CLERGY THE FIRST MENTION OF THE Bronze statue of King Robert Bruce, THREE ESTATES commemorating his victory at the 1314 Battle Coin of David II (1324-71) of Bannockburn. The first surviving record in Scotland using the The clergy (churchmen) declared their support term “Three Estates”, which referred to the three for King Robert Bruce in Parliament. This was groups that made up the Parliament – the clergy important as Scotland’s continued (churchmen), nobility and the (town) was in doubt at the time. commissioners.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 3 1424 1425-26 1436 ACTS OF PARLIAMENT BEGIN TO BE PARLIAMENT FLEXES ITS MUSCLE FAILED ATTEMPT TO CURB ROYAL POWER RECORDED IN SCOTS James I (1394-1437) Plate from the sixteenth-century “Forman Acts of parliament from the reign of James I, King James made several attempts to make Armorial”, showing James I and his wife Joan written in Scots rather than Latin. Parliament more obedient. These included Beaufort wearing heraldic dress. Before this date, most of the surviving suggesting changes that would have made Sir Robert Graham, of the Estates, documents are written in Latin, which was Parliament more like the one in . These attempted to arrest James I ‘in the name of all the language of official documents at the changes failed, which helped Parliament to the Three Estates of your realm’, but received no time. King James I, however, began to keep maintain a strong, and often independent, voice support from the Parliament. Graham was put in his parliamentary records in Scots, a language for the next two centuries. prison, but released and took part in the murder that most people could understand. The 1424 of the king at Perth on 21st February 1437. Royal Mines Act is the oldest act still in force in Scotland today, which states that gold and silver mines belong to the monarch.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 4 1445 1455 1458 A CONTRACTED KING INSTITUTING A PROPER DRESS CODE PARLIAMENT ORDERS THE SLAUGHTER James II ruled from 1437 to 1460, an unstable Detail from a 17th-century print showing OF WOLVES period where various groups battled for power the 1685 ‘Riding of Parliament’, a colourful Act of Parliament ordering landowners to over Scotland. horseback procession which took place at the seek out and destroy any wolves and their King James II swore an oath not to alter opening of each session. offspring within their area. legislation (laws) without Parliament’s consent. Parliament introduced a dress code for its Parliament passed a number of acts in the members, specifying what kind of velvet cloak fifteenth century making it not just legal but could be worn, its colour and what type of fur required to hunt and persecute wolves. Hunts it should be lined with. Anyone who came to were held four times a year and huntsmen Parliament wrongly dressed was to be fined £10 were paid sixpence for each wolf’s head Scots. brought to a sheriff. Such measures meant the wolf was extinct in Scotland by the eighteenth century.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 5 1471 1496 FOOTBALL AND GOLF BANNED FIRST EDUCATION ACT A parliamentary act banning people from The 1496 Education Act ensured that playing ‘fute-ball and the golf’. schooling was more widespread, both Sport and similar leisure activities were strictly geographically and socially, in Scotland than controlled by Parliament, since it was thought in most other European countries. that these were distractions from everyday work. Parliament passed an act making schooling Football and golf were banned in the fifteenth compulsory from the age of eight for the century so that men of fighting-age would sons of barons and wealthy landowners. The practice archery, a more useful skill to have for reasoning behind the act was to ensure that defending against any attackers. people who became sheriffs or judges would have a proper understanding of the law.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 6 1532 1560 1563 FOUNDATION OF THE COURT OF THE REFORMATION PARLIAMENT WITCHCRAFT ACT SESSION John Knox, popular preacher and one of An illustration depicting the Devil speaking The Great Window in Parliament House, the religious leaders of the Protestant to a group of witches at North Berwick in Edinburgh, shows the founding of the Court of Reformation 1590-91. Session in 1532 by James V. Parliament set the seal on a religious revolution Following lobbying from the Church, Parliament passed an act setting up the Court of by breaking the connection with the Pope Parliament passed an act which meant Session, the supreme civil court in Scotland, for and the Catholic Church and establishing the that anyone practising witchcraft would be the “universal well-being” of everyone. This was Protestant religion. punished by death. Consequently hundreds of a major step forward towards a fully developed witches were tried and put to death, with the and modern legal system. The last execution taking place at Dornoch in 1722. still exists today as part of the , a body bringing together all the supreme courts in Scotland.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 7 1579 1587 POOR LAW ENACTED THREE BECOME FOUR Detail from a printed copy of the 1579 Poor Detail from a seventeenth-century sederunt, Law, which put in place severe punishments or attendance roll, noting the parliamentary for ‘vagabounds and idle beggars’. representatives for the shires of , A new, harsh law was passed by Parliament , Perth and Kincardine. to control the administration of help to the Parliament passed an act regulating the growing numbers of poor people. This increase attendance by commissioners from the shires had been caused by a rising population and (rural areas). Although they had attended repeated food shortages. The act said that an Parliament in some numbers in the past, able-bodied poor person who refused to work their presence was not made official until this should be whipped and placed in the stocks. act, which allowed each shire to elect two representatives.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 8 1604 1632 1633 PARLIAMENTARY UNION WITH THE BUILDING OF PARLIAMENT HOUSE CHARLES I’s CORONATION PARLIAMENT ENGLAND PROPOSED IN EDINBURGH King Charles I’s conflicts with both his Scottish James VI (1566-1625) in 1604 Parliament House, next to St Giles’ and English led to civil war across In 1603, the took place Cathedral, Edinburgh Britain and to his eventual execution in 1649. when James VI became king of England as well as The building of Parliament House in Edinburgh King Charles I intended his first meeting of Scotland. He moved south to and shortly began on a site just off the . This the Scottish Parliament to be a showcase after, he proposed the union of his English provided a permanent meeting place for the of royal power. But, in an effort to force and Scottish parliaments, but neither side was first time. The first meeting was held in the new through controversial laws, he disregarded enthusiastic and the project was abandoned. building in 1639. Most of Parliament’s meetings, parliamentary traditions and lost the support until the Union of 1707, were held in this of many influential nobles. purpose-built home.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 9 1638 1640 1652 THE SIGNING OF PARLIAMENT REMODELLED THE COMMONWEALTH COVENANT Detail from a printed copy of the 1661 act This paper, dated 12th April 1654, states This is a copy of the National Covenant of 1638 which withdrew all legislation passed by the the terms and conditions of the union. which called for all Scots to oppose Roman “Covenanter parliaments” of 1640 to 1648. After the execution of King Charles I and the Catholicism and the policies of Charles I. In June 1640, over the space of only ten days, the exile of Charles II, Oliver Cromwell occupied First signed in 1638, the National Covenant Estates passed some sixty acts which moved the most of Scotland. He brought Scotland into demanded a parliament and a Church General balance of power away from the King in favour “a happy” union with England. The Scottish Assembly that were free from influence by of Parliament. For example, a Triennial Act gave Parliament was abolished and Scotland the King. It was copied for distribution to the Estates the power to hold a Parliament at was allowed to send representatives to the every burgh and parish. Supporters were called least once every three years, removing the King’s Parliament at in London for the Covenanters. Widespread support for the right to summon and dissolve parliamentary first time. Covenant led to Scottish opposition to Charles sessions as he chose. These innovations were I and contributed to the outbreak of civil war largely repealed in 1661. throughout Britain and Ireland.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 10 1661 1669 PARLIAMENT RESTORED AN OPPOSITION ‘PARTY’ DEVELOPS IN King Charels II being crowned at Scone in PARLIAMENT 1651, shortly before being forced into exile William Douglas, 3rd , until 1660. leader of the parliamentary opposition during After the defeat of the Commonwealth, King the 1670s. Charles II returned from exile and was restored Although individuals had shown opposition to the throne. The first meeting of the Scottish to the King’s policy before, from 1669 a more Parliament for ten years was held in Edinburgh. organised opposition ‘party’ emerged under It sat for over six months, passing a mass of the leadership of William Douglas, 3rd duke of legislation which reasserted the King’s authority. Hamilton.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 11 1689 1696 PARLIAMENT ADOPTS THE EDUCATION ACT ‘CLAIM OF RIGHT’ The 1696 Education Act for the “Settling of The Proclamation declaring William and Mary Schools”. as King and Queen of Scotland. Proclamations Legislation was passed that established were read out at mercat crosses and churches the principle of a school for every parish. throughout the country. The schools were funded by voluntary After voting to remove King James VII, contributions of landlords, who were pressured Parliament issued a declaration stating its right to by the church and local government officials. remove any monarch who violated the law and threatened parliamentary liberties. The Crown was offered to King William and Queen Mary, who agreed to keep this agreement between the crown and the people.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 12 1707 1713 1762 THE THE UNION ALMOST FALLS FIRST SCOTTISH PRIME MINISTER Exemplification of the Treaty of Union, 1707 John Campbell, 2nd duke of (1678-1743), John Stuart, 3rd earl of Bute (1713-92), served The Scottish Parliament agreed the Treaty one of the great political figures of the 18th as British Prime Minister for only one year, of Union with England on 16th January 1707. century. He was in favour of the union in 1707, before retiring to Scotland to pursue his The Parliament adjourned on 25th March and but in 1713 he spoke out against it. interest in botany. was dissolved on 28th April. The Union of Complaints by Scottish MPs and peers over a John Stuart, earl of Bute, was appointed by Scotland and England, as the range of issues led to a debate in the House of George III to lead the government, but his of , under one parliament sitting at Lords on 1st July 1713, suggesting the break up unpopularity contributed to anti-Scottish Westminster, came into effect on 1st May. of the Union. It was defeated by only four feelings in London and he resigned after only votes. a year in office.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 13 1832 1867 THE SCOTTISH REFORM ACT PASSED FURTHER VOTING REFORMS A contemporary banner from the village of This act extended the vote to every man Lamington, near Biggar, in support of the (with certain conditions) and also allowed Reform , which became law in 1832. universities to return two Members to serve Until this date, the number of people in Scotland in Parliament. who could vote was largely determined by an From 1867 Parliament extended voting to the act of Parliament from 1681. Under the 1832 law, working classes for the first time, with Scotland the number of Scottish seats at Westminster having its own Representation of the People increased from 45 to 53, and those who could (Scotland) Act which was passed in 1868. The vote from 4,500 to 65,000, which was roughly Ballot Act of 1872 provided for a one-eighth of the population. The principle to protect workers and tenants from unfair of ‘one person, one vote’ was not introduced treatment. until 1928.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 14 1885 1892 THE ESTABLISHMENT KEIR HARDIE ELECTED AS AN MP OF THE An election campaign poster for The Duke of Richmond and Gordon, first James Keir Hardie. Secretary for Scotland. James Keir Hardie emerged as a Scottish socialist The Scottish Office was established as a UK and political activist. In 1892 he became the first government department under the Secretary Labour MP (for West Ham, London) and was for Scotland. In 1926, the status was enhanced increasingly a major figure in British politics. to Secretary of State.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 15 1918 1939 1945 WOMEN ACQUIRE THE VOTE THE TRANSFER OF THE SCOTTISH OFFICE SNP WINS ITS FIRST A banner from ‘ Women Citizens’, TO EDINBURGH PARLIAMENTARY SEAT part of the national suffrage movement which St Andrew’s House under construction 1938 A cartoon from Punch, depicting the campaigned for women to be granted the right St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh became the newly elected SNP MP Robert McIntyre to vote. headquarters of the Scottish Office and the as a Chief. Women finally won the right to vote and stand in functions of the government department were Dr Robert McIntyre won the Motherwell parliamentary elections, with the first woman MP transferred from London to Edinburgh. constituency in a by-election, but lost it at the being elected in 1919. The first Scottish woman general election a few months later. The SNP to be elected as an MP was Katherine Murray, won their next parliamentary seat in 1967, this Duchess of Atholl, who won the seat of Kinross time at Hamilton. and Western Perthshire in 1923.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 16 1979 1989 1997 THE SCOTTISH ASSEMBLY REFERENDUM THE SCOTTISH CONSTITUTIONAL “SCOTLAND’S PARLIAMENT” A supporter of the “Yes for Scotland” CONVENTION WHITE PAPER PUBLISHED referendum campaign. The Scottish Constitutional Convention meets Referendum campaign materials from the Following a report on the Constitution, the in the Assembly Hall, Edinburgh. “Yes, Yes” and “No, No” campaigns. UK Government brought forward proposals to From the 1979 referendum onwards, there was a As part of its election manifesto, the create a Scottish Assembly. The UK Parliament growth in the number of campaigns supporting Labour Party committed to consult people passed a Bill on for Scotland in 1978. some form of devolution for Scotland. The on proposals for devolution. As the UK This required a referendum to be held, which Scottish Constitutional Convention (SCC) Government, they published the White Paper, took place on 1st March 1979. The proposals failed was set up to prepare a scheme for a Scottish “Scotland’s Parliament”, setting out proposals to achieve the level of support required under Assembly or Parliament. It held its first meeting for a new Scottish Parliament. On 11th the terms of the Act, which stated that 40% of on 30th March and adopted a declaration, “A September, the people of Scotland voted in the electorate had to vote in favour. Despite Claim of Right for Scotland”. The SCC published a referendum. The result was in favour of a a majority in excess of 77,000, the “yes” vote its final report in 1995. devolved Scottish Parliament with tax-varying represented only 32.9% of the electorate. powers.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 17 1998 1999 1999 THE SCOTLAND ACT IS PASSED THE FIRST FIRST BILL PASSED BY THE Launching the Scotland Bill SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT The Scotland Bill establishing the Scottish ELECTION The Debating Chamber of the Parliament at Parliament and the Scottish Executive (Scottish The opening of The Scottish Parliament the General Assembly buildings in Edinburgh government) was passed by the UK Parliament The first elections to the Scottish Parliament On the 8th September 1999, the Mental Health and received on 19th November. were held on 6th May. The results led to the (Public Safety and Appeals) (Scotland) Bill was The Consultative Steering Group on the Scottish formation of a between passed. The bill was introduced by the Scottish Parliament presented its report, “Shaping Labour and Liberal Democrats. The first meeting Executive. Scotland’s Parliament”, in December. This of the Parliament took place on 12th May with Sir proposed the key principles of the Parliament elected as the first Presiding Officer. and suggested how it should work. The Parliament was opened by Her Majesty The Queen on 1st July. From that date, the Parliament assumed its power to legislate (make laws) for Scotland on devolved matters.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 18 2000 2001 2003 FIRST MEMBER’S BILL PASSED FIRST BILL PASSED SECOND SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT MSP for . One of the Committee Rooms in Committee ELECTION 1st MAY On the 28th September, the first member’s Chambers in Edinburgh, used by the Pie chart showing the results of the election bill was passed: The Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Parliament as a temporary home until 2004. in 2003 Labour 50, SNP 27, Conservatives 18, Amendment (Scotland) Bill was introduced by On the 4th October, the first committee bill was Liberal Democrats 17, Green 7, SSP 6, SSCUP 1, Tavish Scott MSP. passed: The Protection from Abuse (Scotland) Independents 3. Bill. The bill was introduced by the Justice I The second Scottish Parliament election was Committee. held: more MSPs were elected from smaller parties and as independent MSPs. A second coalition was agreed between Labour and the Liberal Democrats to form the government.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 19 2004 2006 2007 THE OPENING OF NEW SCOTTISH 1000th PUBLIC PETITION LODGED THIRD SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT ELECTION PARLIAMENT BUILDING Pupils from All Saints Secondary School 3rd MAY The new building at Holyrood. hand over their petition to the Public MSPs elected at the 2007 election. Designed by Barcelona architects EMBT and Petitions Committee Convener Michael The third Scottish Parliament election was their partners RMJM Scotland, the new Scottish McMahon MSP. held on 3rd May: it led to the first minority Parliament building was officially opened on 9th This Petition, presented by All Saints Secondary government being formed by the SNP. October 2004 in the presence of Her Majesty School on 3rd October, called for the Scottish They decided to adopt the title “Scottish The Queen. Parliament to urge the Scottish Executive to Government” in place of the term Scottish investigate the public health implications of Executive. cheaply available alcohol.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 20 2009 2011 10th ANNIVERSARY OF THE OPENING OF FOURTH SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT ELECTION 5TH MAY 143 of the children who were born in Scotland Photo of the Members of the Scottish on July 1st 1999 joined the Presiding Officer at Parliment elected at the 2011 election. Holyrood to celebrate. The fourth Scottish Parliament election was held On 1st July, the 10th anniversary of the official on 5th May. It led to the opening of the Scottish Parliament was marked forming the government after winning a majority by a visit from Her Majesty The Queen and a of seats. birthday party for 10 years olds born in Scotland on 1st July 1999.

1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 21 We would like to thank the project team of the Records of the Parliaments of Scotland for their help with the timeline.

The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707 (RPS) is a fully searchable database containing the proceedings of the Scottish parliament from the first surviving act of 1235 to the union of 1707. The culmination of over ten years work by researchers from the Scottish Parliament Project based in the School of History at the University of St Andrews, the online edition seeks to make this key historical resource freely available to all in a technologically advanced and user-friendly format.

For further information, please see www.rps.ac.uk

Please note. The Scottish Parliament is not responsible for the content of external websites.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 22 All images and illustrations are Parliamentary 1500 1700 copyright. © Scottish Parliamentary Corporate 1532 © Royal Commission on the 1707 © National Archives of Scotland. Body except: Ancient and Historical Monuments Licensor www.scran.ac.uk of Scotland. 1762 Hulton Archive / Getty Images 1200 Licensor www.scran.ac.uk 1800 1235 National Archives of Scotland. 1560 © Lennoxlove House Ltd. 1832 © Biggar Museum Trust. 1293 © National Museums Scotland. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk Licensor www.scran.ac.uk Licensor www.scran.ac.uk 1563 © University of / Newes 1867 © Central Library. from Scotland 1597. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk 1300 Licensor www.scran.ac.uk 1892 Hulton Archive / Getty Images 1309 © The National Trust for Scotland. 1579 Records of the Parliaments of Licensor www.scran.ac.uk Scotland. 1900 1357 © National Museums Scotland. 1587 National Archives of Scotland. 1918 © Council Museum Service Licensor www.scran.ac.uk 1600 East. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk 1400 1939 © National Museums Scotland. 1604 Scottish National Portrait Gallery. 1424 Records of the Parliaments of Licensor www.scran.ac.uk 1632 © Edinburgh City Libraries. Licensor Scotland. 1945 © Punch. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk www.scran.ac.uk 1425-26 Scottish National Portrait Gallery. 1979 & 1989 © The Scotsman Publications 1633 © National Trust for Scotland. 1436 © National Library of Scotland. Ltd. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk Licensor www.scran.ac.uk Licensor www.scran.ac.uk 1997 © Scottish Life Archive. 1638 © National Museums Scotland. 1445 Hulton Archive / Getty Images. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk Licensor www.scran.ac.uk 1455 © National Museums Scotland. 1998 © David Black. 1640 Records of the Parliaments of Licensor www.scran.ac.uk Licensor www.scran.ac.uk Scotland. 1458 & 1471 Records of the Parliaments of 1652-60 © National Archives of Scotland. Scotland. No part of the timeline may be reproduced, in Licensor www.scran.ac.uk 1496 © National Archives of Scotland. any form or by any means, without the prior 1661 Hulton Archive / Getty Images Licensor www.scran.ac.uk permission of the Scottish Parliament. 1669 © Lennoxlove House Ltd. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk 1689 & 1696 © National Archives of Scotland. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk

IMAGE CREDITS

The Scottish Parliament - Past and Present PAGE 23