THE EARLIEST MENTION OF GOLF: The Actis and Constitutionis of the Realm of Scotland 1566, Made In Parliaments Haldin Be ... Kingis James The First, Se
£2,500 - £3,500
THE EARLIEST MENTION OF GOLF: The Actis and Constitutionis of the Realm of Scotland 1566, Made In Parliaments Haldin Be ... Kingis James The First, Secund, Thrid, Feird, Fyft, and In Time of Marie Now Quene of Scottis, Robert Lekpreuik, 28 November 1566. 2o., title with woodcut arms of Mary Queen of Scots, historiated initials. xylographic signature at end of the compiler, Jacobus Balfour (title cropped at bottom margins, some marginal soiling, occasional water stains, lacks + 4, c4 and A1 + 2 remargined), 18th century calf, spine gilt (rubbed), with the Acts of King James The Sixth, 1568, bound in at end (but incomplete) Provenance: Edward, Duke of Norfolk, bookplate, The Rt. Hon. George Rose, bookplate, E.F. Bosanquet, bookplate The earliest mentions of golf is in the acts of 1457 by James II which order that FUTBALL AND GOLF BE UTTERLY CRYIT DOWNE, AND NOT TO BE USIT. INSTEAD IT IS ORDERED THAT SCHUTING BE USIT ILK SONDAY. The conclusion to be drawn is that citizens were encouraged to practise shooting and archery during their free time on a Sunday because it fulfilled a military need, rather than 'idle' pursuits of football and golf.