| LOCATION | Edinburgh, NL Scotland |
| MANUSCRIPT | Edinburgh, NL Scotland, Adv.MS.24.6.3b |
| ITEM No. 2 | Decisiones curiae supremae Scotiae - Practicks (digest of decisions), alphabetical |
Decisiones curiae supremae Scotiae - Practicks (digest of decisions), alphabetical
Author(s):
Decisiones curiae supremae Scotiae - Practicks (digest of decisions), alphabetical (preparatory work for 'Balfour's Practicks', with additions).
Arranged under alphabetised keyword titles. Within each title, the individual decisions are numbered: caput 1, caput 2, caput 3, etc. Many decisions bear a heading, written above, but this is not regularly the case. Lengthy titles usually start with the oldest decisions. Towards the end of a title, however, the chronological order is often disturbed. The text breaks off in the title 'Seasings'.
Some chapters' texts in the present MS are longer than in Balfour's final text. This fact suggests that the present text is not a re-worked extract from the final stage of Balfour's Practicks, but that it preceded that final stage. The present digest of decisions was one of the sources from which the final text of Balfours Practicks was compiled. Either Balfour or someone else during his life time converted the 'Registrum Scotiae' into an alphabetically arranged Digest of Decisions (as referred to in MS Edinburgh, NA Scotland, GD112/71/5, fol. 1r-3r), and this alphabetical Digest is preserved here. Dark ink, easily photographable. The digest is also preserved in Adv.MS.24.6.3(3) and in MS Edinburgh, UL, Laing III.412 (shortened).
In contrast, Adv.MS.24.6.3a does not contain this digest but is a copy of the final stage of Balfour's Practicks in whose end part only the decisions were copied. References always side with the printed edition.
Considering the legal historical importance of the present digest of decisions, I have been generous in spot-checking correspondences to (and divergences from) the printed edition of Balfour's Practicks, with regard to dates, parties' names, and references to (Balfour's) Registrum Scotiae. The long list below shows that divergences are often substantial. I have added comparisons to MS Laing III.412. I have also spot-checked whether Adv.MS.24.6.3(3) was copied from the present MS. It became clear that this is not the case - also not vice versa. I also interspersed some spot checks with Adv.MS.24.2.3 which contains an all-encompassing collection of practicks, in three volumes.
In particular, the order of chapters in the present digest differs very often from the final text of Balfour's Practicks. The same applies to the wording of headings. Furthermore, the text of the chapters also presents many variants. They usually do not change the meaning. Many words in the present MS are anglicised, in places where the printed edition has maintained Scottish forms of spelling.
Some propositions of law are followed by two or more dates, although only one reference to (Balfour's?) 'Registrum Scotiae' is given. I thus assume that the person(s) who compiled the 'Registrum Scotiae' had also written additional references in the margins, to supplement the references already present.
Divergences in references to (Balfour's) Registrum Scotiae often appear to be due to inadvertency of the scribe of the present MS. His misreadings of numbers 3 and 8, 1 and 2, 6 and 0, 4 and 5 are particularly frequent, as the handwritten forms of these figures in early sixteenth century handwriting resembled each other closely. For instance, manifestly erroneous date 1591/3/20 on fol. 14r (case Alexander Quhyte v. Fentoune?), pri. t. c. 40, in the title 'Of alienatioune of airschip': this is an obvious slip of pen for 1491, see the printed edition p. 236. The printed edition of Balfour's Practicks ususally has the more plausible reference. Yet, this is not always the case. For instance, in Balfour 118.6 the printed edition reads 'Adie Haiswell', whereas the present manuscript is obviously more correct: 'William Boswell'.
[{i}First title:{/i}] (Adjornall).
[{i}First items, samples:{/i}] Ane act of adjornall. c. 1. Quid peti potest hac actione. He that reseaves, takis or spoilzeis ane uther manes corne, cattell, guidis or geir, and in the iustice aire takis him to his remissioune thairfoir, the samyne being sufficientle previt be the rolment of the said iustice aire, extract out of our soverane Lordis jornall under the signet and subscriptioune of the Iustice Clerke for the tyme, aucht and suld be decernit befoir the civill judge not onlie to restoire, content and pey the saidis guidis and geir or the avvaille and pryce thairof, bot also the damnage coist and skaithe sustenit be the awnveris thairof, throw want of the samen, togidder withe the expenss of the pley and of the witness that were examinat and deponit in the said mater. 23. October 1488. James Symsone contra Robert Drummond, pri. t. c. 55 [{i}corresponds to Balfour 118.4 from 1.t.c.56. Adv.MS.24.2.3 cap. 4: 1488/10/20{/i}].
c. 2. Restitutioune of the guidis and provatioune of the valouris thairof. Ony man, beand accusit in the iustice aire for reiff, thift, spuilzie ... ... fra quhome the saidis guidis wer takin in maner foirsaid. 12 Julii 1501 Robert Gray contra Alexander Creichtoune. 22 Martii 1552, pri. t. c. 110 [{i}I suspect that the case 1552 was noted in the Registrum Scotiae in the margin of the case 1501. Printed edition of Balfour 118.5 has: 14 Julii 1501 Robert Creichtoun contra Alexander Gray, 22 Mart. 1532, 1.t.c.110{/i}.{i}MS Laing III.412 has: Robert Gray c. Alexander Crichton, 12 Julii 1510, 22 March 1531. Adv.MS.24.2.3 has in cap. 5: 1501/7/12 Crightoune against Gray; 1532/3/22{/i}].
c. 3. Gif ony man takis him to his remissioune: he or his sovertie mey be callit civillie. Ane beand accusit in the iustice aire and takand him to his remissionis for thift, reiff, spuilzie or ony uther cryme of trespas, he or his sovertie, give ony wes fund be him, mey be eftirward callit thairfoire at the instance of the pairtie, and thairfoire the entres, skaithe and damnage sustenit be him, befoir the civill judge. 8 Julii 1532; 13. Julii 1532, pri. t. c. 674 [{i}= Balfour 118.1, 9 Julii 1532; 13 Julii 1532, 1.t.c.674. MS Laing III.412 corresponds{/i}.{i}Adv.MS.24.2.3 cap. 1: 1532/7/5, omitting the second date{/i}].
c. 4. Confessi habentur pro iudicatis. Give ony man indictit and accusit in the iustice aire for ony cryme or trespas grantis and confess the samen, he is haldin and oblist to ansr civillie to the pairtie, as give he had taine him to his remissioune thairfoir. Ult. Julii 1533, pri. t. c. 980 [{i}= Balfour 118.2, Ult. Julii 1533, 1.t.c.930. MS Laing III.412 corresponds.{/i}{i}Adv.MS.24.2.3 cap. 2 corresponds{/i}].
c. 5. Tua assaythmentis sould not be gevin for ane fact. Give ony mann committis slauchter, mutellatioune or ony uther cryme, and satisfies the pairteis haveand entres, and thaireftir happine to be indytit and accusit in the iustice aire and taken to his remissioune or componitour for the samenn cryme, he sould not be compellit to pey ane uther assythement or satisfactioune, notwithestanding of his confessioune maid in judgment, as said is, be taking of his said remissioune or componitour. 9 Julii 1546, pri. t. c. 1091 [{i}= Balfour 118.3, 9 Julii 1546, 1.t.c.1091. MS Laing III.412 has different date 1546/6/9 and leaves last eight words out.{/i}{i}Adv.MS.24.2.3 cap. 3: 1546/6/9{/i}].
c. 6. Off adjornall: sovertie in act of adiornale. Ane man, beand convict ... day of the restitutioune of the samenn. 24 Jan. 1530 Gilbert Menzeis contra Robert Lumisdane; vide [{i}empty space{/i}] exempla: 12 Decemb. 1531, pri. t. c. 328 [{i}= Balfour 118.10 middle, 10 Mart. 1500 William Keith contra the Erle of Caithness; 24 Jan. 1530 Gilbert Menzies contra Robert Lummisden; vide multa exempla: 12 Decemb. 1531, 1.t.c.328. MS Laing III.412 corresponds, but leaves the 'exempla' out].
qjc. 7. For quhat thing the sovertie mey be convenit. Give ony mann becum catioune and sovertie for ane uther ... or ordour of tabill. 11 Julii 1543, pri. t. c. 145 [{i}= Balfour 118.11 first part, 11 Julii 1543, 2.t.c.145{/i}].
c. 8. Ane man, takand him in the iustice aire to his remissioun for spuilzie of ony guidis ... contenit in the said decreit. 9 Jan. 1505 William Boswell contra Ralf Ker, pri. (t.) c. 2 [{i}= Balfour 118.6, 9 Jan. 1505 Adie Haiswell contra Raulf Ker, 1.t.c.22. Adv.MS.24.2.3 cap. 6 corresponds{/i}].
c. 9. Of him that becumes sovertie for satisfactioune of the pairtie allanerlie. Give ony man takis him in the iustice air to his remissioune for the spuilzie of ony guidis ... the profeit is thairof. 23 May 1533 Alexander Wardlaw contra the Laird Drumcrathe, pri. t. c. 423 [{i}= Balfour 118.10 last part, 23 Maii 1533 Alexander Wardlaw contra the Laird of Duntreth, 1.t.c.423{/i}].
c. 10. The principall pairtie sould releiffe the sovertie. Ane man takand him to his remissioune in the iustice air for ony cryme and fundand ane sovertie ... throw his rebellionis. 17 Febr. 1534 Jone Ramsay contra James Lord Ogilvie, pri. t. c. 466 [{i}= Balfour 118.11 last part, 17 Feb. 1534, Johne Ramsay contra James Lord Ogilvie, 1.t.c.466{/i}].
c. 11. Defences befoir the civill judge. Ane mann taking him to his remissioune in the iustice aire for spuilzie, reiff and avay taking of ony guidis and geir ... lauchfull defences thairintill. 20 Mar. 1532; 25 Junii 1533 James Skirling contra Alexander Allane, 12 Feb. (...), pri. t. c. 413 [{i}= Text missing in the printed edition, where the references are simply appended to the end of chapter 118.8{/i}].
c. 12. Of him quha confessis undir protestatioune. Give ony man accusit in the iustice aire for spuilzie, reiff, thift or leying waist of landis ... dreidour that sall be in ane constant mann. 14 Julii 1541 Jone Grersone of Lage contra Lord Zester; 5 Mar. 1542, pri. t. c. 524 [{i}= Balfour 118.7 first part, 14 Julii 1541 Johne Grierson of Lag contra Lord Zester; 5 Mart. 1542, 1. t. c. 524{/i}].
Memorandum, give the act of adjornall conteine ane protestatioune, the Lordis now ressaves witness to prove the deid, and thinkis the confessioune, contenit in the act, not sufficient probatioune of the cryme [{i}= Balfour 118.7 middle{/i}].
c. 13. Off him quha confessis without protestatioune. The confessioune of ony pairtie in the iustice aire ... probatioune againis him. 13 Julii 1541, pri. t. c. 37 [{i}= Balfour 118.7 last but one, 13 Julii 1541, 2.t.c.37{/i}].
c. 14. Off him quha takis him to his remissioune undir protestatioune. Give ony persone, takand him to his remissioune in the iustice aire for spuilzie, protestis for all his lauchfull defences ... intromettit with the samen. 15 Julii 1542 Maister Andro Blakstok contra Wilsone, 2 t. c. 122 [{i}= Balfour 118.9, corresponding in the reference{/i}].
c. 15. Off adjornall. Give ony persone indyttit in the iustice aire for spuilzie or ony uther cryme ... except the persewar continew in the samenn. 18 Mar. 1541 Maister Andro Blakstoke contra N. Wilsone, 2 t. c. 83 [{i}= Balfour 118.8, corresponding in the reference, but adding further references which in the present manuscript belong to its chapter 11{/i}].
[{i}Second title:{/i}] Adwocatioune.
c.1. Litiscontestatioune stopis adwocatioun of actiones. Litiscontestatioune beand maid in ony caus or actioune befoir ony inferiour judge, the samen actioun and caus ... quhairupoun the samen depend. 20 Jan. 1533; ult. Mar. (...). Pri. t. c. 316 [{i}= Balfour 86.12, 26 Jan. 1533; ult. Mart. 1531, 1.t.c.316. MS Laing III.412 with different date 1533/1/26{/i}].
c. 2. He quha is judge in the principall caus is also judge in the accessour. Decreit beand obtenit befoire the ... befoir na uther judge. 20 Feb. 1542 the Laird of Bonytoune contra the Laird of Moittiris, pri. t. c. 577 [{i}= Balfour 86.8, 20 Feb. 1542, Laird of Lugtoun contra Laird of Maderis, 1.t.c.577{/i}].
c. 3. Deidlie feid is ane iust caus of adwocatioun. Deidlie feid, standand unreconceillit betuix ony pairties defender and the schereff or ony uther inferiour judges ... befor thame witheout dyet or table. 4 Mar. 1545 Lord Gray contra Lord Ruth(v)enn, pri. t. c. 979 [{i}= Balfour 86.2, 4 Mart. 1545 The Lord Methven contra Lord Gray, 1.t.c.979. MS Laing III.412 has 'Lord Graye c. Lord Ruthven'{/i}].
c. 4. Give the judge be suspect, the caus mey be advocat fra him. Give ony mann beand within the degre defendant to the perseware refuiss to give depuittis unsuspect ... advocat fra him to ane uther judge. 12 Feb. 1534; 26 Jan. 1535, pri. t. c. 994 [{i}= Balfour 86.4 first part, corresponding in the references. MS Laing III.412 furthermore adds: '26 Jan. 1535'{/i}].
[{i}Random spot check of five items which caught my eye because of their late date:{/i}].
(Fol. 4r) 1579/11/24 Murray of Abircarny v. Andro Tosche(out) (title 'Adwocatioune') [{i}MS Laing III.412 corresponds{/i}].
(Fol. 9v) 1580 the maister of Merschell, mariage in anno 1580 disponit to my Lord Lennox, pri. t.c. 921 (title 'Mariage of airis') [{i}Neither found in MS Laing III.412 nor in the printed edition{/i}].
(Fol. 19v) 1582/7/29 Gordoune of Pitlarge v. the Erll of Erroll. Lege 'Cum lege Julia recept.', ff. de arbitriis [D.4.1.41]; lege 'Quid. consolebant', de re iud. [D.42.1.57]; gl. in l. 'Pretor ait', de iud. [D.42.1.4.3, garbled] (title 'Arbitrie'). [{i}This quotation was neither found in the printed edition of Balfour's Practicks nor in MS Laing III.412. I suspect that the item was lifted from Colvill's Practicks{/i}].
(Fol. 28r) 1575/5/2 Cuthbert Dumbare v. Edward Crecht (title 'Assignatioune') [{i}MS Laing III.412 has date 1578/5/2{/i}].
(Fol. 31r) 1469 Patrik Erll of Bothvell v. Johne Symyngtoune schereff of Lannarck, pri. t. c. 46 (title 'Off breivis') [{i}MS Laing III.412 corresponds, but has a manifestly erroneous date 1569{/i}].
(Fol. 76v) [{i}Further spot checks, title 'Depositum':{/i}].
c. 1 Give ony evident silver guidis or geir be gevine and delyverit in keiping tanquam depositum to ony man, and he haive kepit the samenn as he hes kepit his avnis and nevirtheles it hapine the samenn with sum of his avine guidis and geir to be stolline or tint, being laid up be him in keiping and place uthervayes sufficient to that use, he on navayes sould be compellit to restore and delyver the samin againe, quia neque dolum neque latam culpam commisit, et depositarius solum tenetur de dolo et lata culpa. Pen. Julii 1540 Jonat Balfoure contra maister David Pitcairne, pri. t. c. 513. [{i}= Balfour 54.1, corresponding in the reference. MS Laing III.412 has different date 1540/6/29{/i}].
c. 2 Give ony guidis or geir be gevine in keiping to ony persone to be furthcumand to the utilitie and profeit of him that gevis the samenn, and it happine the samenn to be rest(?) and taine avay vi maiore, to the quhilk the keiper could not resist, or without ony negligence or falt committit be him thairanent, he is not haldin to restoir and delyver the same againe, except it be manifestlie prowine be the avner thairof that he befoir the taking avay of the same disponit thairupoune, or upone any peice thairof, to his avine proper use. 21 Feb. 1560 captane Bellok contra Elizabeth Hamiltoune, pri. t. c. 781. [{i}= Balfour 54.2, captane Rollock contra Elizabeth Hamiltoun, 1.t.c.781. MS Laing III.412 has 'Captaine Bellok c. Elizabeth Hamiltoune{/i}].
c. 3 Give ony man ressave in keiping ony infeftment of landis or tak and assedatioune to be delyverit to him to quhome the samen wes maid and gevine, and being requyrit be him to delyver the samen, refuiss, postpones or delayes to mak delyverance to him of the samen, he mey be callit and convenit to refound, content and pey to him the haill profeitis of grese, hors, meiris, ky, stock, butter, cheis, cornes, cattell or of ony uther guidis quhatsumevir, quhilk he micht have haid of the saidis landis, steding, mailling or possessione, give he haid enterit thairto at the tyme contenit in his infeftment foresaid, or assedatioune, and haid labourit the same withe his avine guidis and geir. 16 Jul. 1532 Jone Spittill contra Williame Urquhart, pri. t. c. 695. [{i} = Balfour 54.3 first part, 16 Julii 1532 Johne Spittell contra William Urquhart, 1.t.c.690. MS Laing III.412 corresponds{/i}].
c. 4 Moweabill guidis and geir, sic as clothes, towallis or money, gevine in keping to ony man, and it happine thaireftir the aviner thairof to be denuncit rebell and put to the horne, and the gift of his escheit to be disponit to the same persone quha hes the same guidis and geir in keiping, he on navayes hes actioune eftirward pro repetitioune of the samenn, bot they suld remane in all tymes cumming with him to quhome they wer delyverit in keiping, be reassone of the gift of escheit obtenit be him, as said is. 3 Jun. 1557 Patrik Ramsay contra the Laird of Kynneire, pri. t. c. 753. [{i}= Balfour 54.3 last part, with corresponding reference. MS Laing III.412 corresponds{/i}].
[{i}Third to last title by the principal scrivener, chosen for a long spot check. I only note dates, parties' names and references to the Registrum Scotiae when they differ from those in the printed edition.{/i}].
Of restitutioun in integrum [{i}Balfour's title 45 = p. 179 ss.{/i}].
1. Of restitutioun in integrum be reasoune of feir and dreidoure. Gif ony man persew ane uther for the intromissioun ... [{i}Balfour 45.17. MS Laing III.412 corresponds{/i}].
2. Gif ony (man) throw anst, fer and dreidoure ... [{i}Balfour 45.13{/i}.{i}MS Laing III.412 corresponds{/i}].
3. Gif ony maisterfullie ... [{i}Balfour 45.14{/i}.{i}MS Laing III.412 has different date 1516/5/2, leaves out first case's parties' names, leaves out second case's date{/i}].
4. All obligatiounis ... [{i}Balfour 45.15{/i}.{i}MS Laing III.412 has different date 'vigesimo nono Junii 1525' and abridges heavily{/i}].
5. Gif ony of our soverane Lordis leidges ... [{i}Balfour 45.16 first part{/i}.{i}MS Laing III.412 leaves out the Jus Commune reasoning in Latin{/i}].
6. Gif ony man is pressit ... [{i}Balfour 45.16 second part. MS Laing III.412 abridges{/i}].
7. All contractis, bandis ... Patrik Congilbrine contra Andro Congilbrine, pri. t. c. 722; lex 'Minor' 18, ff. de minoribus [Digesta 4.4.18].{i}Balfour 45.2, 'Congiltoun', and omits the quotation from Justinian's Digest. MS 24.6.3(3) also has 'Congiltoun' and is thus not copied from MS 24.6.3b.{/i}{i}MS Laing III.412 merely paraphrases the text and quotes only the first case{/i}].
8. Ane minor of quhatsumevir estait ... 15 Feb. 1502 ... [{i}Balfour 45.8 first part, with date 1503. MS 6.3(3) also has 1502.{/i}.{i}MS Laing III.412 corresponds to date 1502{/i}].
9. Gif ane minor mak ony alienatioune ... [{i}Balfour 45.3{/i}.{i}MS Laing III.412 corresponds{/i}].
10. Ane minour, and speciallie ane pupill ... [{i}Balfour 45.6{/i}.{i}MS Laing III.412 corresponds{/i}].
11. All contractis, obligationis and uther actis ... [{i}Balfour 45.5 first part. The decision applies a principle of the Jus Commune, legislated by emperor Fridericus I in the Authentica 'Sacramenta puberum', post C.2.58. ..., where the emperor states that oathes sworn by minors shall be binding, unless the minor had not yet attained puberty{/i}. {i}MS Laing III.412 abridges, and gives different date 1538/4/7{/i}].
12. Ane minor, makand ane alienatioune of his landis in his minoritie, and sverand be his grait aithe to observe and keipe the same and nevir to cum in the contrar thairof, mey notwithstanding of this said aithe seik restitutioune in integrum, becaus lykas he micht have beine circumvenit ... [{i}Balfour 45.5 second part, omitting the first lines{/i}.{i}MS Laing III.412 omits{/i}].
13. Of proces led aganis minoris. All processis ... [{i}Balfour 45.7 - with a different heading. MS Laing III.412 corresponds{/i}].
14. All alienationis or dispositionis ... ony moveabill guidis and geir or ony uther guidis and geir quhairby ... [{i}MS 24.6.3(3) makes better sense:{/i} moveable goods and geir or aine wthers his goods and geir quhairby [{i}Balfour 45.4, omitting words of the two manuscripts which may perhaps be due to a merely erroneous haplography{/i}.{i}MS Laing III.412 leaves the Jus Commune argumentation in Latin out{/i}].
15. All minoris, of quhat estait or conditioune they be of, hes four zeiris compleit efter thair perfyte aige of xxi. zeiris gevine and grantit unto thame, within the quhilk spaice they mey revoicke and ask to be restorit in integrum againis all infeftmentis, alienationis or dispositionis of thair landis, guidis or geir maid be thame to thair hurt and skaith befoir thair perfyte aige of tventie ane zeiris compleit. Bot if they, aftir thair said perfyte aige of xxi zeiris, haldis thaire tounge per totum dictum quadrienium and seikis na restitutioune in integrum befoir thair aige of tventie fyfe zeiris compleit, they nor thair airis sall nevir be hard eftirward to persew for reductioune thairof, nor to seik restitutioune aganis the same, becaus they, be reassone of thair so long silence and taciturnities, is understand to ratefie tacite and in effect all alienatiounis ... [{i}Balfour 45. 8 second part, leaving out the first lines and changing the text of the rest.{/i}{i}MS Laing III.412 abridges heavily and merely refers to the first case's date and the third case's parties' names{/i}].
16. Ane minor beand maill ... [{i}Balfour 45.9 erroneously inverts ciphers: '1458'.{/i}{i}MS Laing III.412 has different date 1528/3/16{/i}].
17. Ane minor desyreing restitutioune ... [{i}Balfour 45.12 abridges the text. MS 24.6.3(3) has year 1569 instead of 1567. MS Laing III.412 corresponds to the date 1569, yet abridges - different from the printed edition{/i}].
18. Ane minor beand of the aige of tventie ane zeiris compleit ... [{i}Balfour 45.10 first part. MS Laing III.412 has same different date as above: 1528/3/16{/i}].
19. Gif ony persone, beand compleitlie past the aige of xxi. zeiris, mak any infeftment, alienatioune or uther dispositioune ... [{i}Balfour 45.10 second part{/i}.{i}MS Laing III.412 draws c. 19-20 together into one abridgement, and merely provides the first case's date{/i}].
20. Gif ony persone beand minor makis ony dispositioune ... [{i}Balfour 45.11{/i}].
21. C. quae in fraudem [C.7.74]. All contractis, infeftmentis or obligationis quhatsumevir ... [{i}Balfour 45.18 first part - with different heading. MS Laing III.412 corresponds{/i}].
22. All contractis, infeftmentis, obligationis or uther wretis maid be manifest fraud ... 1563 [{i}Balfour 45.18 second part - shortening the first words, and with year date 1562. MS Laing III.412 omits{/i}].
23. Mendax precator debeat impetratis carere. Giff onie persoun ... Pri. t. c. 13 [{i}Balfour 45.19 first part. MS Laing III.412 corresponds{/i}].
24. Gif ony man ... sone naturall to the cardinall. Pri. t. c. 549 [{i}MS 24.6.3(3) has '2. t.', but omits (as always) the reference to the chapter of the Registrum. Balfour 45.19 second part, omitting the reference to the Registrum. MS Laing III.412 skips the Jus Commune argumentation in Latin{/i}].
25. C. Quae in fraudem creditorum [C.7.74]. Gif ony creditour ... i. t. c. 94 [{i}Balfour 45.20, omits the reference to the Registrum. MS Laing III.412 abridges heavily{/i}].
26. Ane creditour or ony uther persone, obteinand ane decreit befoir ane judge ... obteiner thairof. Pen. Martii 1503 [{i}MS 24.6.3b garbles the reference to become 'Thomas Broune contra Alexander Scott, i. t. c. 147'. MS Laing III.412 corresponds. It appears, however, that the reference in the original manuscript must have read 'Jonet Kennedie contra Sir Johne Somerwell of Cambusnethen, i. t. c. 147; 20 Julii 1540 Thomas Broun contra Alexander Scott'. MS 24.6.(3) almost has this, but omits (as always) the reference to the chapter in the Registrum. The printed edition of Balfour 45.21, in contrast, has 'Jonet Kennedie contra Johne Somervill of Cambusnethane, 20 Julii 1546(!), i. t. c. 147'. The reference 'i. t. c. 147' is plausible for the year 1503. The case Broune v. Scott clearly pertains to the date 1540/7/20, because all three MSS 24.6.3b and 24.6.3(3) and Laing III.412 quote it again with this date, at the end of the title, while the printed edition in c. 24 dates the case to 1541/7/20. This example demonstrates once more that MS 24.6.3(3) did not copy MS 24.6.3b{/i}].
27. Gif ony man intendis summondis ... 19 Mart. 1529. Alexander Innes contra Lord Oliphant. 7 Decemb. 1528 Robert Bortoune contra David Erll of Crawfurd. Pri. t. c. 345 [{i}Balfour 45.22, omits the parties' names of the second case. MS Laing III.412 entirely omits the second case{/i}].
28. Give ony persone obtenis ane decreit ... Mr. Johnne Spens of Waristoune [{i}MS 24.6.3(3) and printed edition have 'Maristone'{/i}] ..., i. t. c. 317 [{i}Balfour 45.23, omits the reference to the Registrum. MS Laing III.412 has a different date for the first case: 1542/5/4{/i}].
29. Inhibitioune beand rasit ... [{i}Balfour 45.24. For the case Broun contra Scot, see the above note to chapter 26. MS Laing III.412 corresponds{/i}].
[{i}Second to last title written by the principal scrivener:{/i}].
(Fol. 187r) Of salmound fisching [{i}Balfour's title 154 = p. 545 ss.{/i}].
1. Gif ony man be heretablie infeft and be vertew thairof is in possessioune in fisching of salmound ... [{i}Balfour 154.13. MS Laing III.412 has different date 1559/4/12 and skips the second reference{/i}].
2. It is statute and ordaint for the clearing of the Act maid be King James the third of moist noble mynd of the bind of salmond, quhilk beris in effect that thair sal be no salmond packit in smaller barellis then of the missurris of Hamburghe, efter the auld. Thairfoire in all tymes to cum the saidis barrellis to contene ilkane xiiii. gallons scottis measour and na less, under the paine contenit in the Actis maid thairupoune of befoire. 9 December 1503, 1. t. c. 204. [{i}Balfour 154.14 only refers to the printed edition of the Acts. MS Laing III.412 corresponds{/i}].
(Fol. 187v) [{i}Last title written by the principal scrivener:{/i}] Of saisingis [{i}Balfour's title 43 = p. 175 ss.{/i}]. 1. Gif ony persone raises and impetratis ane breiff out of our soverane Lordis Cheppell, to be servit to ony landis or tenementis perteining to him as aire, and obtenis and gettis service of the said breiff before the judge, togidder ... to the Kingis Cheppell and precept of saisinge direct thairfra. 11 Julii 1498. Elizabethe Quhyte contra the Bailzeis of Aire, i. t. c. 102 [{i}= Balfour 43.5. MS 24.6.3(3) wrongly has '1598'. MS Laing III.412 corresponds, also with error'1598'{/i}].
[{i}The principal scrivener still wrote a heading 'Caput 2' and then ceased to write any further. A rough second hand added twelve propositions of law to this same title 'Of seasing', and furthermore a title 'Of summonding' with ten propositions of law - all of them without a reference. All these texts appear to be abridgements of the pertinent passages of the final text of Balfour's Practicks. Headings for these propositions of law are written in the left margins, followed by a chapter number - as also observed in the printed edition of Balfour's Practicks.{/i}].
[{i}Further comparison to a second copy of this work, Edinburgh, NL Scotland, Adv.MS.24.6.3(3):{/i}].
As a sample, I have compared the third to last title 'Of restitutioun in integrum' = fol. 158v in modern foliation in pencil = 162v old foliation in ink. Result: the scrivener omitted all references to the Registrum Scotiae. The two manuscripts correspond in their order of chapters and in the text, but 24.6.3(3) does not derive from 24.6.3b
Author(s):
No. of pages: Fol. 1r-187v