15th-century manuscript of the chartulary of Arbroath Abbey, known as the 'Registrum nigrum'.
Scope and Contents
Chartulary produced in Scotland, known as the 'Registrum Nigrum' of the Tironensian Abbey of Arbroath. The work was compiled in the 15th century, probably the early part thereof, and is written in a variety of hands. The material in the manuscript covers the years 1288 to circa 1500, with the bulk of the material belonging to the later part of this time span. The manuscript is a register of leases, recording the administration of the lands, churches and tithes of the abbey. For a full list of the charters see the Bannatyne Club edition.
On folios 1r-7r is a contemporary table of contents.
Folio 7v is blank, but has been lined and ruled.
Folios 8r-51r contains charters of the abbots from the 13th century to the mid 15th century, with the bulk of material being later in date.
Folio 51v is blank, but has been lined and ruled.
Folios 52r-170v contain a series of charters and deeds entered contemporaneously up to 1502, some of which are in Scots.
Each document is introduced by a contemporary rubric in plain ink and each has also been numbered with Arabic numerals, possibly by a 17th-century hand.
Spaces have frequently been left for initials, and when these are provided they are plain pen-flourished initials. From folio 106r onwards there is a sporadic change in decoration style, with red being used for underlining, stroking letters, and initial decoration.
There is evidence throughout of contemporary repairs to the vellum.
Each folio has been lined and ruled in red on the recto and verso sides.
A horizontal catchword is present on folio 151v.
There are three sets of foliation in the manuscript. A scribal foliation is given in the centre of the upper margin in Roman numerals. This begins on folio 7v with 'i' and continues thereafter on the recto side of each folio. Folios 39, 40, 50, and 51 of this foliation have been lost. There is a further foliation in Arabic numerals which runs in the top margin, possibly early 17th-century. There appears to have been a jump in this foliation with the ommission of folio 87, as the scribal foliation does not skip over this section. A modern library foliation has since superseded both of the faulty foliations. This means that the missing folios were located between what is now folios 45 and 46; and 54 and 55.
Pricking is occasionally evident for the horizontal lines, and seldom for the vertical lines.
Dates
- Creation: 15th century.
Creator
- Balfour, James, Sir, 1st Baronet of Denmilne and Kinnaird (antiquary) (Former owner, Person)
Language of Materials
The majority of the material is in Latin, with some entries in Scots.
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Conditions Governing Use
Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.
Extent
1 Volumes ; 19cm x 28.5cm x 6.5cm
Arrangement
i-iv + 170 + v-vii folios.
Custodial History
There are various 16th-century inscriptions throughout the manuscript which may suggest possible ownership.
The most prevalent of these is for a James Gray, found on the following folios: 7v, 44r, 65v, 89v, 105v, 112v, 133v, 141v, 143v, 145r.
There is an inscription for 'Barbra Gray' on folio 106r, and 'Alexander Grahame' on folio 105v.
There are two inscriptions on folio 170v for 'James Gardune of Dunbarrow', one in Latin and one in Scots.
The manuscript was in the possession of Sir James Balfour. His device is present on the recto side of folio iv.
The manuscript was bought by the Library of the Faculty of Advocates at the sale of Sir James Balfour's books in 1698.
The previous shelfmark assigned to the volume by the Library of the Faculty of Advocates is given on the recto of folio iv: 'A.1.24', since superseded.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented, 1925, by the Faculty of Advocates to the nation on the foundation of the National Library of Scotland.
Existence and Location of Copies
18th century copy: Adv.MS.35.3.3.
Bibliography
Cunningham, I. C. 'Medieval Cartularies of Great Britain: Amendments and Additions to the Scottish Section of Davis', Monastic Research Bulletin, Volume 3 (1997), pages 1-7.
Cunningham, I. C. 'Sir James Balfour's Manuscript Collection: The 1698 Catalogue and other sources', Edinburgh Bibliographical Society Transactions, Volume, VI, Part 6 (2004), pages 191-255.
Davis, G. R. C. (ed.) 'Medieval Cartularies of Great Britain and Ireland. Revised by Claire Breay, Julian Harrison, and David M. Smith' (London, 2010), 229, number 1120.
'Folio Catalogue of Manuscripts: Chartularies' (Unpublished manuscript, Edinburgh [18??]), folios 3-6. NLS Reference: FR.189.
Innes, C. 'Liber S. Thome de Aberbrothoc. Registrorum Abbacie de Aberbrothoc pars prior. Registrum vetus munimentaque eidem coetanea complectens. 1178-1329. (Pars altera. Registrum nigrum necnon libros cartarum recentiores complectens. 1329-1536)', Bannatyne Club, 2 Volumes (Edinburgh, 1848-1856).
'Summary Catalogue of the Advocates' Manuscripts' (Edinburgh, 1971), page 15, number 142; page 107, number 1387.
Turnbull, W. B. D. D. 'Fragmenta Scoto-Monastica: Memoir of what has been already done, and what materials exist, towards the formation of a Scotish (sic) Monasticon.' (Edinburgh, 1842), page 3.
Physical Description
Vellum.
The binding is of brown leather, probably of the early 19th century. The front and back boards are blind-stamped with circular designs and border bars. The three edges of the boards and the turn-ins also have blind-tooled designs. The spine has raised bands and extensive blind-tooled floral designs. There is a gold-tooled title which reads: 'REGISTRUM MONASTERII DE ABIRBROTHOC'.
The three edges of the leaves are coloured with red. There is a brown silk bookmark, still intact.
The watermark of the only paper folio present, folio iv, is a pot design on top of which sits a crescent. This design does not appear to be in Briquet.
Genre / Form
- Title
- National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
- Author
- National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division
- Description rules
- International Standard for Archival Description - General
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700
manuscripts@nls.uk