Letters of immunity under the Great Seal, by King James VI (26 May 1579) (front)

Letters of immunity under the Great Seal, by King James VI, taking the whole members and supposts of the college of Glasgow, with their lands, tenements, and other goods under his special protection, and confirming the university’s exemption from taxation and from watch and ward. (26 May 1579)

(University of Glasgow Archive Services Ref: GUA BL/421)

Seal of King James VI used before the Union of the Crowns. Integral seal tag.

On the obverse, the seal represents the King on horseback wearing plate armour, fluted and engraved, a helmet with visor raised and a plume of five ostrich feathers. His right arm is elevated, the hand holding a sword, and in his left hand he holds the reins. The horse gallops over a compartment of turf extending to the outer border of the seal, it has a plume of four ostrich feathers and wears short close-fitting caparisons with richly decorated borders charged in front with a thistle leaved and slipped and behind with a shield bearing the royal arms of Scotland. There is foliated decoration on the background. The legend is between carved borders : IACOBUS SECTVS DEI GRATIA REX SCOTORVM. On the reverse, the seal represents a shield bearing the royal arms of Scotland, from behind which depends the Collar and Order of the Thistle.The motto is on an escroll passing behind the crest: IN DEFENS. There is foliated ornament in the background. The legend is between carved borders: SALVVM FAC POPVLVM TVVM DOMINE.

The document is written in Latin on parchment in a formal bastard hand. The first letter, as well as some letters on the first line are heavily ornamented.

Close up of seal available here

View the catalogue for GUA BL/421 online

Posted by University of Glasgow Library on 2013-11-21 10:33:14

Tagged: , Latin , Scots , medieval , seals , parchment , blackhouse charters , Glasgow , legal document , settlements of court , royal grants , donations , history , scotland