Diploma admitting Robert Burns to membership of the Royal...
Diploma admitting Robert Burns to membership of the Royal Company of Archers
Diploma admitting Robert Burns to membership of the Royal Company of Archers on 10 April 1792. Framed, on the top of the frame the words 'Burns Diploma Royal Company of Archers, 1792', on the bottom of the frame the words 'Presented by the Poet's Sons'.
Admission to membership was a high honour as the Company, formed in 1676, was a select and aristocratic group. The honour came at a time in Burns' life when he had left Edinburgh and had settled in Dumfries. Presented by Burns' sons, Lieutenant-Colonel James Glencairn Burns (1794-1865) and Colonel William Nicol Burns (1791-1872) in 1862.
Parchment, with seal of the Royal Company of Archers (the original seal was lost but a replacement was added after the Diploma was given to Edinburgh.) The text - 'At Edinburgh, the 10th day of Aprile, One Thousand Seven Hundred & Ninety-two/ The Council of the/Royal Company of Archers/After tryal taken by the judges of the Company & their report, Have admitted and Receiv'd, and hereby Admit/ and Receive you, Robert Burns, Esq.,/ To be one of His Majesty's Royal Company of Archers, giving and granting to you all the privileges and Immunities/ that are or may be Competent to any of the said Company. - In Witness whereof, these presents are Sealed with the Common/ Seal of the Company, and Signed by the Secretary day and place Foresaid. (Signed) James Gray, Sy., R.C.A.'
