1609 Regiam Majestatem: The Auld Lawes Constitutions of Scotland

Description

First Edition, Leather Binding, Very Scarce

The very scarce first English language edition of this work, which was also published in Latin in the same year.

First edition in Scottish of this compendium of Scottish laws, also published in Latin in the same year.

The second part of the work includes reference to the law enacted by James II forbidding golf; 'na man sould play at the golfe'.

The 'Regiam Majestatem' is the earliest surviving work giving a comprehensive digest of the Law of Scotland. It dates from the fourteenth century, and is based upon a tract from 1188.

Sir John Skene has here compiled and edited the document at his own expense, with this being the first publication in English of the work. Skene's version is not entirely consistent with the original document, but is viewed as the standard version. Later legal references to the document are references to this 1609 publication.

A6, [2]A6, B-2D6, [3]A-2G6. 2H4. [6], 158, [1], 181, [1] leaves

ESTC S117424; STC 22626

A3-5, A4, B-2D6, A-2G6, 2H4. Collated, lacking leaves A1, A2, and A3 of part I, which includes the title page, and lacking leaf I2 of part II, which is a double sided leaf of text.

Retaining two original blanks to the rear, and one to the front. Retaining medial blank 2D6, and final blank 2H4.

A very scarce insight into Scotland's legal history.