Scotland - The Lands & Mains of Edmonston 1615. Contract between John Edmonston & Thomas Hope. A very fine manuscript detailing a Lease, with the advice of John Sir John Cockburn of Ormiston, kt Senator of the College of Justice and Sir Archibald Stirling of Keir, kt, and Dame Grizzell Ross his wife. The Contract from Edmonston to Master Thomas Hope, advocate, and his eldest lawful son John Hope, relates to the estate of Edmonston, the Manor and Mansion House etc in the regalitie of Musselburgh. Measuring 13ft x 1ft, written in English/Scottish in a roll of several joined sheets of paper, a little dusty on the outside otherwise very clean and clearly written. Dated Edinburgh 5th April 1615. Signed - Edmonstoune; Thomas Hope, John Hope, Cockburn Ormiston. Archibald Sterling of Keir and 5 witnesses including S Wm Hart (of Prestoun kt). Notes: Thomas Hope was appointed Lord Advocate in 1626 and granted a Nova Scotia Baronetcy in 1628, his son John followed his father in the legal profession, and both were caught up in the political and religious upheavals during the reign of King Charles the first. Sir Archibald Stirling was appointed Admiral Depute of the West Seas and Lochs in 1606. Sir William Hart, a justice, was involved in the Scottish Witch Trials. A most impressive document with scope for much further research