Britannia

The following is from Britannia by William Camden:

The States or Degrees of Scotland

THE Republicke or Common-wealth of the Scots, like as that of the Englishmen, consisteth of a King, the Nobility or Gentry, and Commons.

The King, that I may use the words of their owne Records, is directus totius dominus, that is, The Direct Lord of the whole Domaine or Dominion, and hath roiall authority and jurisdiction over all the States and degrees, as well Ecclesiasticall as Lay or Temporall.

Next unto the King is his eldest sonne, who is called Prince of Scotland, and by a peculiar right, Duke of Rothsay and Seneschall or Steward of Scotland. But all the rest of the Kings children are named simply Princes.

2. Among the Nobles, the greatest and most honorable were in old time the Thanes, that is, those who (if my judgement be ought) were ennobled onely by the office which they administred. For the word in the ancient English Saxon tongue signifieth The Kings Minister. Of these, they of the superior place were called Abthans, the inferior, Under Thanes. But these names by little and little grew out of use, ever since that King Malcolm the Third conferred the titles of Earles and Barons, after the maner receaved from the English, upon Noble men of good desert. Since when, in processe of time, new titles of honors were much taken up, and Scotland as wel as England hath had Dukes, Marquesses, Earles, Vicounts and Barons. As for the title of Duke, the first that brought it into Scotland was King Robert the Third about the yeere of Salvation 1400, like as the Honorable titles of Marquesse and Vicount were first brought in by our most gracious Soveraigne King James the Sixth. These are counted Nobles of the higher degree, and have both place and voice in the Parliaments, and by a speciall name are called Lords, like as also the Bishops.

3. Among the Nobles of a lower degree, in the first place are ranged Knights, who verily are doubbed with greater solemnity than in any other place throughout all Europe, by taking of an oth, and are proclaimed by the publicke voice of an Heralt. Of a second sort are they who are tearmed Lairds and Barons, among whom none were reckoned in old time but such as held immediatly from the King lands in Chef and had ius furcarum, that is, powre to hang &. In the third place are all such as being descended from worshipfull houses, and not signall with any especiall dignitie, be tearmed Gentlemen. All the rest, as Citizens, Merchants, Artisans, &., are reputed among the Commons.

The Judicatories or Courtes of Justice