ACTIS AND CONSTITUTIOUNIS OF THE REALME OF SCOTLAND

1566. [SCOTLAND - LAWS - GOLF] THE ACTIS AND CONSTITUTIOUNIS OF THE REALME OF SCOTLAND , maid in Parliamentis haldin be the rycht excellent, hie & mychtie Princeis, Kingis James the First, Secund, Thrid, Feird, Fyft, and in the tyme of Marie now Quene of Scottis, viseit, correctit, and extractit furth of the Registers be the Lordis depute be speciall commissioun thairto. (Edinburgh: Robert Lekpreuik) Anno Do. 1566. The first printed collection of Scottish Acts, covering the period from the accession of James I in 1424, through the reign of Mary Stuart until the time of its publication. It is sometimes referred to as "The Black Acts," because it is printed in black-letter. As important a source as it is for the study of politics and government of that time, it is often much sought after by lovers of the game of golf because it contains the earliest printed references to that game. In three statutes, issued in the years 1457, 1471, and 1491, which are printed on folios 40, 56, and 92 of the present volume, the common people are forbidden to play golf because its popularity was apparently a danger to the more useful exercise of archery: "In na place of the Realme their be usit (i.e. used) futballis (football), golf, or uther sic unproffitabill sportis, not for the common gude of the Realme." But in the end, its hold on the people was so strong that legislation could not make them give it up. Small folio, 25.5 x 16.5 cm, gathered in fours. Folios numbered (recto only): [14], [ii] - Cxxxii, Cxxxiiii - cxlv, [1], Cxlvi - Clviii, [2], Clix - Clxviii, [2], Clxix - Clxxxii. The title-page is almost wholly occupied by a large and fine woodcut of the Royal Arms of Scotland, though slightly trimmed. Several xylographic signatures of compiler Jacobus (James) Balfour throughout, and one by Jacobus (James) Makgill. The "Preface to the Redar" signed Eduard Henrison (Edward Henryson) on +iiiv. It is bound with five other acts, described below, in an old calf binding with gilt-stamped spine in seven compartments, with a red morocco label, and marbled endpapers. Joints are rubbed and tender, with top joint starting near head, and irregular loss at crown with modern restoration. Old ink ownership on titl.