[4] leaves (blank, title, contents, dedication), 162, 178 ff., [21] leaves (Table of Principall Maters), blank, [7] leaves (Table of All the Kinges of Scotland), [1] leaf (Table of the moveable feastes), [70] leaves (De verborum Significatione); 40 ff., [2] leaves (Table of the Principall Matters; [1] leaf (title page XXI Parliament), 16 pp.; [20] leaves (XXII Parliament - erratically folioed); [2] leaves (XXIII Parliament title, contents), 34 ff. Folding genealogical chart precedes the "Table of All the Kinges of Scotland", engraved portrait of King James VI to verso of XXIII Parliament title, many decorative headpieces, tailpieces, initials, printer's ornaments, etc. Erratically folioed throughout with several misnumbered leaves, "XXI Parliament" paged. The sixth part of the main work "Ane Catalogue of the Buikes conteinand the auld Lawes written before King James the First of gud memorie" is found at the conclusion of "De Verborum Significatione" and is headed "Ane Admonition to the reader . . . " (Folio) 10¼x6½, old straight grain morocco, wide raised bands, covers and spine nicely gilt. First Edition thus; early portions of the text were printed first in 1566.
Important compilation of the laws of Scotland. Notable for the appearance in print (for the second time only) of laws enacted regarding golf: In the reign of King James the Second, Fourteenth Parliament, VI of March, 1457, "Item . . . It is Decreeted & ordained . . . that the Fute-ball and Golfe be utterly cryed downe, and not to be used." Further acts banning the sport were drawn in 1471 under King James the Third and in 1491 under King James the Fourth.The 1566 first printing of "The Actis and Contitutions of the Realm of Scotland" is accounted the first appearance in print of the word "Golf." Johnston p. 719; STC English 21892, 21896, 21898, 21900
Condition:
Minor rubbing to front joint; later endpapers; repairs to edges of first blank leaf, title page, and first 2 leaves of "XVI Parliament", following 2 leaves of same text with upper corners torn, first 4 leaves of "XVI Parliament" grubby; considerable marginalia in seventeenth-century hand throughout the text as well as to first blank leaf; upper margin of many leaves cropped close with upper portion of top title page ornament shaved; occasional stains and foxing; folding chart and last leaf of text of "De Verborum" backed with old paper; old ink stamps of Colin A. Bannatyne and Bannatyne Library to a few page margins, still text apparently complete and overall good to very good.