David Laing, eminent historian, antiquary and bibliographer, was the second son of the Edinburgh bookseller William Laing (1764-1832) and his wife Helen Kirk, and was born on 20 April 1793. He was educated at the Canongate Grammar School and later on attended Greek classes at the University of Edinburgh. At the age of fourteen, he became apprenticed to his father who, at the time, was the only bookseller in Edinburgh dealing in foreign literature. Laing was able, occasionally, to travel abroad in search of rare or curious books. In 1821, he became a partner in his father's business and throughout his life he was an avid collector of manuscripts and rescued many from destruction. The first published work of his own was Auctarium Bibliothecae Edinburgenae sive Catalogus Librorum quos Gulielmus Drummondus ab Hawthornden D.D.Q. Anno 1627 (1815). Among other works, Laing also reprinted Thomas Craig's Epithalamium on the marriage of Darnley and Mary Stuart (1821). When Sir Walter Scott founded the Bannatyne Club in 1823 for the printing of material and tracts relating to Scottish history and literature, Laing - a friend of Scott's - became Secretary of the Club and chief organiser until its dissolution in the 1860s. Laing was also associated with the Abbotsford Club, the Spalding Club, and the Wodrow Society, each of which had been set up for the publication of manuscripts and for the revival of old texts. When the keepership of the Advocates' Library fell vacant in 1818, Laing was a candidate but was not elected. He became Keeper of the Library to the Society of Writers to Her Majesty's Signet, a post which he occupied from 1837 until his death. On his appointment to the post, he gave up his business as a bookseller and disposed of the stock in a public sale. Laing died at Portobello, in Edinburgh, on 18 October 1878.
Scope and Contents
Book of Hours in Latin from the 15th century following the Use of Sarum.Kalendar with Astronomical Tables: the months of the Kalendar start on f. 1r and always appear on the recto, the tables start on f. 1v and always appear on the verso.Additions to the Kalendar are all by one 15th century hand and show a connection with Yorkshire in this period. They are: 8 April Matrimonium factum fuit inter Johannem filium Briani...
Contents
Book of Hours, use of Toul. It is of French origin (Toul) and is from the 15th-16th century, but based on external evidence is probably from after 1499. Inserted into the first border there is a coat of arms of Anne of Brittany, Queen of France. She married Charles VIII of France in 1491 and later his successor, Louis XII in 1499. External evidence suggests that the book must have been written for her after her marriage with Louis XII. It is curious, however, that none of the prayers have...
Scope and Contents
Book of Hours in German from the 15th century.Kalendar: starts on f. 2r. Contains commemorations of Saints and Martyr, and other festivities (the most important are written in red). Its content points to the area of Cologne.30 January: Aldegunt iunffer (Aldegunda Virgin, hermitess and Benedectine abbess, from Hainaut); 1 March: Swicbertus, Bp. (Swithbert Bishop, founded a...
Contents
The manuscript is a Book of Hours and Prayer Book from the 15th century. It originated in Germany, possibly in Schleswig. All the prayers are for a masculine owner.The Kalendar starts on f.1r. Some entries in the Kalendar that may reflect the manuscript’s provenance are as follows. 30 January: Aldegonde, Virgin; 17 March: Gertrude, Virgin; 3 June: Erasmus, Martyr; 4 July, Odalrici (Ulrich), Martyr; 8 July: Kilian, Martyr; 11 July: Ketillus, Confessor (of...
Contents
The manuscript is a Prayer Book and Book of Hours from the late 15th century that originated in Italy.The Penitential Psalms start on f.1r.The Litany starts on f.12r.The Prayers start on f.22v. These include the Ave Maria, Pater Noster, Credo, and Salve...
Contents
The manuscript is an Italian Missal from the second half of the 14th century. A missal is a liturgical book containing all instructions and texts necessary for the celebration of Mass throughout the year. This specific manuscript is according to Carthusian Use.The Kalendar is from f.i to f.vi. It is missing January to April.The Proprium de Tempore starts on f.1r. The Proprium de Tempore comprises...
Contents
The manuscript is an Italian Missal from the 14th century. A missal is a liturgical book containing all instructions and texts necessary for the celebration of Mass throughout the year. This specific manuscript can be classified as Franciscan.A Miniature appears on f.1r.The Kalendar starts on f.2r. It is missing March to October.The Proprium de Tempore, Advent to Easter starts on f.4r. The ...
Contents
The manuscript is an Italian Order of Profession created in Verona in 1541. These types of manuscripts provide rubrics (instructions) and texts for those in the religious profession. This specific manuscript can be classified as Benedictine.The manuscript starts with Incipit ordo professionis fiende per monacham in manu sacerdotis on f.1r. It continues Anno domini .mo...
Contents
The manuscript is an English Psalter that was created in the 14th century, between 1300 and 1330, possibly in Worcester.There is a Title Page on f.1r. There is some custodial history information, as well as some scribbles and drawings, dating from later than the rest of the manuscript.The Litany of the Virgin starts on f.2r.The Virtutes Psalmorum Psalterii hec sint start on f.3r. This section...
Contents
The manuscript is an Italian Psalter and Hymnarium from the late 14th century. An hymnarium is a liturgical book that contains hymns and is a fixed part of the liturgy. This manuscript is also probably Benedictine.The Benedictine Psalter, with noted Anthems and Hymns, and Chapters with their Versicles and Responds, are arranged in the following order:Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Prime; Matins and Lauds for the whole week start on...
