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This is a splendid example
of a Scottish Armorial and dates from 1601. It is one of the most
beautiful pieces of heraldic art painted in Scotland during the period
when these armorials were produced, the 16th and 17th centuries. It used
to be called the Armorial of Sir David Lyndsay of the Mount Secundus; it
is in the Bibliotheca Lindesiana, the library of the earls of Crawford.
It is an armorial of the King, James VI, his Queen, Anna of Denmark, his
son, Prince Henry, and the peers and lairds of Scotland. Compared with
earlier work it is finer, more elegant, more carefully painted; compared
with later work it displays a wonderful fluidity of line, particularly
in the supporters and charges from nature, in the lions of course, but
also in the other beasts and birds.
It is to be published by the Heraldry Society of Scotland, with
financial support from the St Andrews Fund for Scots Heraldry. The
editor is Alex Maxwell Findlater, whose Aspilogia Scoticana was
published by the Society in 2006. The facsimile will be reduced slightly
in size and will omit the blank pages. Thus the volume will be the same
height as other armorials published by the Society. The armorial itself
is of some 140 folios. These will be accompanied by a full introduction,
annotation of the arms and a biographical index of the persons included.
The index will put these persons in context, noting their parents, wives
and heirs as well as family relationships, so will be almost a Burke’s
or Debrett’s of Scotland in the middle of James VI’s reign.
It is expected to be ready for distribution in December 2008.
Please Note - All Cheques made payable to the Society must be
in UK Pounds Only.
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