Regiam Majestatem. The Auld Lawes and Constitutions of Scotland, Faithfullie Collected Forth of the Register, and Other Auld authentick bukes, fra the dayes of King Malcome the second, until the time of King James the first, of gude memorie: and trewlie corrected in sindrie faults, and errours, committed be ignorant writers. And translated out of Latine in Scottish language, to the use and knowledge of all the subjects within this Realme: with ane large table of the contents thereof, Be Sr. John Skene of Curriehill. Whereunto are Adjoined Twa Treatises, the Ane, Anent the Order of proces observed before the Lords of Counsell, and Session: The other of Crimes, and Judges in criminall causes. Edinburgh: Thomas Finlason, 1609.
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FIRST EDITION in Scots, also published the same year in Latin, of Regiam Majestatem, the important collection of Scotland's ancient law compiled during the reign of Robert I (1306-29) during the Scottish War of Independence with England, with much of its material dating from the 12th century Glanvill. This copy in contemporary boards with an anachronistic Scottish thistle design painted to both boards in a naïve manner. This edition is often mistakenly described as the first English edition, but it is in fact in Scots which is often mistaken for early modern English as it is similar.
Notably, this text includes early references to the sports of both golf and football: "Na man sould play at the golfe. Not at the futball, under the paine of fiftie shillings. Because they are estemed to be unprofitable sports for the common gude of the Realme, and defence thereof."
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Size: 190 x 271 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[(1), t.p., A6, A4, B-Z6, 2A-2D6, A-Z6, 2A-2G6, 2H3, (1)]
Preliminary leaves and the final few ragged at edges (the first two A gatherings of 10 leaves as well as 4-5 leaves at the rear) with loss including some text, these leaves also with dampstaining. Worm track up to F1 in lower blank margin, occasional smaller worm tracks in places throughout. Thereafter, and for the majority of the text block, the text is legible throughout, though with sporadic staining and with most of the text with faint dampstaining not obscuring legibility, pictured. T1-2 torn with loss of about a quarter from the bottom of the leaves. Contemporary inscription to foot of G6 verso and L3 recto and a few other places.
Collates as complete through the main text, including the usually lacking 2D6 blank, but possibly lacking some leaves at the rear (?). It seems conclusive at the rear and ends with the errata leaf with printer's device.
Contemporary full calf binding, naively painted with a Scottish thistle to both boards, rebacked with extension of the original gilt spine design to the replaced backstrip compartments. Tooled red morocco label extant to spine, possibly later. Pencil inscription to head of ffep verso. Boards both attached.
[STC 22626].
