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The Degrees of SCOTLAND.
THE Government of the Scots, as that of the English, consists of a King, Nobility, and Commonalty.
The King, (to use the words of their own Records) is, directus totius Dominii Dominus, di∣rect Lord of the whole Dominion or Domain; and hath Royal Authority and Jurisdiction over all the States of his Kingdom, as well Ecclesiastick, as Laick. Next to the King is his Eldest Son, who is stiled Prince of Scotland, and by a peculiar right is Duke of Rothsay, and Steward of Scotland. But the rest of the King's Children are called simply Princes.
Amongst the Nobles, the greatest and most hono∣rable were in old times, the Thanes,* 1.1 that is, (if I have any judgment) those who were ennobled only by the office which they bore; for the word in the antient Saxon signifies, The King's Minister. Of these, they of the higher rank were called Ab-thanes; of the lower, Under-Thanes. But these Names by little and little grew out of use, ever since King Malcolm the 3. conferred the Titles of Earls and Barons, (borrow'd out of England from the Normans) upon such No∣blemen as had deserv'd them. Since when, in pro∣cess of time, new Titles of Honour have been much taken up, and Scotland, as well as England, hath Dukes, Marquisses, Earls, Viscounts, and Barons.* 1.2 As for the title of Duke, the first that brought it into Scotland was Robert the Third, about the year of our Lord 1400; as the honourable titles of Marquiss and Viscount, were lately brought in by our most gracious Sovereign King James the sixth. These are accoun∣ted Nobles of a higher degree, and have both place and voice in Parliaments, and by a special name, to∣gether with the Bishops, are called Lords.
Amongst the Nobles of a lower degree, in the first place are Knights,* 1.3 who are certainly made with greater solemnity than any where else in Europe, by taking of an Oath, and being proclaim'd publickly by the Heralds. In the second, are those who are called Lairds,* 1.4 and commonly without any addition Barons, amongst whom none were antiently reckoned, but such as held immediately from the King Lands in Ca∣pite, and had the* 1.5 Jus Furcarum. In the third place are such as being descended of Honourable Families, and dignify'd with no certain title, are term'd Gen∣tlemen.* 1.6 All the rest, as Citizens, Merchants, Artifi∣cers, &c. are reckoned among the Commons.