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14th-century manuscript produced in England containing English law statutes and writs.

 Item
Identifier: Adv.MS.28.6.1

Scope and Contents

14th-century manuscript produced in England containing English law statutes and writs. The Summary Catalogue of the National Library of Scotland dates the manuscript to the 14th century. Dolezalek suggests that the manuscript may be of the beginning of the 15th century.

The manuscript is written in a single column in an Anglicana chancery hand. The volume is incomplete and is wanting folios at the beginning and end. On the turn-in of the front board are 18th-century ownership inscriptions, a partial table of contents, and modern shelfmark inscriptions.

The contents are as follows:

Registrum Brevium. In Latin. Folios 1r-69r.

Folios 69v-70v are blank but have been prepared for writing. There is a later inscription on 70v.

Magna Carta. In French. Folios 71r-75v.

Carta de Foresta, followed by a table of contents for the Magna Carta and the Carta de Foresta. In French. Folios 75v-78v.

Carta de Mertone, followed by a table of contents. In French. Folios 78v-81v.

Statuta de Marleberge, followed by a table of contents. In French. 81v-88v.

Statuta Westmonasterii primi, followed by a table of contents. In French. 89r-103v.

Statuta Gloucestri, followed by a table of contents. In French. 104r-107v.

Statuta Westmonasterii secundi, followed by a table of contents. In French. Folios 107v-135v.

Statuta Westmonasterii tertii. In Latin. Folios 135v-136r.

De Dampnis, followed by Nota. In Latin. Folios 136r-141r.

Articuli contra prohibitionem. In Latin. Folio 141v.

Statutum de religiosis. In Latin. Folios 141v-142v.

Arbor consanguinitatis. In Latin. Folios 142v-143r.

Expositio quorundam vocabulorum. In French. Folios 143v-144r.

Statutum de mercatoribus. In French. Folios 144r-146r.

Statutum de conspiratoribus. In Latin Folios 146v.

Statutum de Champart, incomplete. In French. Folio 146v.

Summa que vocatur parva hengham, incomplete. In Latin. Folios 147r-154v.

The manuscript is decorated with initials alternately blue and red. Initials at the start of each section occasionally have extended pen flourishes into the margins in blue and red. Paraphs are blue and red. Rubrics and underlining are in red. Each section has a running header underlined in red.

There are scribal annotations to the text in the margins, with occasional 18th-century annotations giving the title of a writ or statute.

Each folio has been lined and ruled recto and verso.

Pricking is visible for both the horizontal and vertical lines.

Horizontal catchwords are visible on the following folios: 6v, 14v, 22v, 30v, 38v, 46v, 54v, 62v, 70v, 78v, 86v, 94v, 104v, 112v, 120v, 128v, 136v, 146v (altered).

Quire signatures are visible in the lower right corner of the rectos in the form of letters and scores.

There is evidence of contemporary repairs to the vellum.

Dates

  • Creation: 14th century.

Creator

Language of Materials

The material is in a mix of Latin and Middle French.

Conditions Governing Access

Normal access conditions apply.

Conditions Governing Use

Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.

Extent

1 Volumes ; 28.7cm x 11.5 cm x 6.3cm

Arrangement

154 folios.

In gatherings of 8 and 10: 1⁶ (wanting 2 leaves at the front), 2-12⁸, 13¹⁰, 14-17⁸, 18¹⁰, 19⁸

Custodial History

On the turn-in of the front board is a donation inscription, possibly from a William Cunliffe to Ralph Thoresby, dated 1717.

The manuscript was presented to the Library of the Faculty of Advocates by Walter Ross, writer to the Signet (1738-1789), on 12 July 1788.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Deposited, 1925, by the Faculty of Advocates.

Bibliography

Dolezalek, G. 'Manuscripta Juridica', online resource provided by Max-Planck-Institut für europäische Rechtsgeschichte: http://manuscripts.rg.mpg.de/manuscript/2623/

'Folio Catalogue of Manuscripts: Law' (Unpublished manuscript, Edinburgh [18??]), folio 37. NLS Reference: FR.185.

'Summary Catalogue of the Advocates' Manuscripts' (Edinburgh, 1971), page 70, number 871; page 102, number 1291.

Physical Description

Vellum.

The binding is probably contemporary, and is of leather covering oak boards. On the head end of the front board there is possibly an obliterated inscription, now illegible. There are the remnants of two leather clasps, since gone. The channeling, pegs, sewing stations, and turn-ins are visble on the inner of both boards. The spine has raised bands and remnants of a Library sticker on the tail end. The back board of the volume has split in two.

Title
National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
Author
National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division
Description rules
International Standard for Archival Description - General
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository

Contact:
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700