The first part of this manuscript appears to have been written about the beginning of the last quarter of the 15th century; the rest, according to a colophon at the end of the Laws of Alexander - which is now missing, but is referred to in the analysis of the manuscript by Cosmo Innes (see the Bibliography) - was ‘endyt and wrytyn at Ynglis Terwatt the first day of Marche, the zer of God imiiiicnynty and vi zeris’.

The earliest mark of ownership is probably the inscription among some pen trials on f. 251r: Liber honorabilis viri Jacobi fletchir, which is repeated in Scots on f. 335r.

Many inscriptions (ff. 87v, 89r, 175r, 240r, 335r) testify that in the latter part of the 16th century it belonged to Thomas Scott, and had been given to him by his father, David Scott of Spencerfield, whose arms appear on f. 87v with the date 1575. The fullest statement is on f. 175r: þis buk pertenis to Dawyd Scot, son to Jhon Scot of þe Spenserfeld writtyn wt my awin hawnd and gyffen it to my son thome Scot comform to my hand wt ane gyft, writtyn be me in þe forn end of þis buyk to þe samin effect. Dawe Scott wt my hand.

The following inscription occurs on f. 129r in the lower margin: And ... of þir persounis above vryttin to David Gybsoune my mayster, burgis of Disert.

On f. 335v still another 16th century owner's name is found: Magister Robertus Dawing est hujus libri possessor.

On a vellum fly-leaf at the beginning is the name Allexr Colvil commendatarius (Commendator of Culross, 1566-1580). This is the justification of the name 'Colville MS.' used by Cosmo Innes (see the Bibliography). Presumably the Commendator received the volume from Thomas Scott.

From this fly-leaf, we can also see that in 1817 it belonged to Alexander Boswell, Lord Auchinleck. Later still, it belonged to Mr. J. A. Maconachie, from whose hands it passed to David Laing.

Laing 380

Title given to the manuscript in Catherine Borland’s catalogue: Regiam Majestatem.