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.
- Reference:GB 248 GUA BL/421
- Dates of Creation:26 May 1579
- Language of Material:Latin
Scope and Content
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 a scroll 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 on parchment in a formal bastard hand. The first letter, as well as some letters on the first line are heavily ornamented.
Custodial History
Previously numbered GUA 16615.
Blackhouse charters catalogue description: 'Letters of Immunity under the Great Seall by K.Ja. In favous of the Colledge of Glasgow Masters and Students and Servants thereof whereby they and all their Lands and possessions and goods moveable and heritable are taken under the specll. Protection of the King And all of them providing they be not advanced to the dignity of prelats are exeemed from all Impositions upon their goods And from personall burdens dated 26 May 1579'.
Bibliography
- Munimenta Alme Universitatis Glasguensis, Records of the University of Glasgow from its Foundation till 1727, ed. by Cosmo Innes (Glasgow : the Maitland Club, 1856), I, p. 126-127 (entry no 66).
- Charters and other documents relating to the city of Glasgow, ed. by Sir James D. Marwick (Glasgow: Scottish Burgh Record Society, 1894-1906), vol. I, part 2, p. 187-188.
Personal Names