The Lord High Chancellor of Scotland's Copy Strongly Supporting Mary, Queen of Scots, as well as the Right of Women To Rule

HISTOIRE ABBREGÉE DE TOUTES LES ROYS DE FRANCE, ANGLETERRE, ET ECOSSE. [and] LA RECHERCHE DES SINGULARITEZ PLUS REMARQUABLES, CONCERNANT L'ESTAT D'ECOSSE. [and] DISCOURS DE LA LEGITIME SUCCESSION DES FEMMES AUX POSSESSIONS DE LEUR PARENS.

(MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS). CHALMERS, DAVID.

(Paris: chez Robert Colombel [the second two works by Colombel à l'enseigne d'Alde], 1579). 170 x 113 mm. (6 5/8 x 4 1/2"). 24, 235, [5] leaves; 4 p.l., 32 leaves; 4 p.l., 34, [2] leaves. Three works issued together. FIRST EDITION.

Contemporary limp vellum, flat spine with ink titling, yapp edges, four apparently original green silk ties (hinges expertly tightened). Front pastedown with engraved armorial bookplate of John, Marques[s] of Tweeddale, Earle of Gifford, Viscount Walden, Lord Hay of Yester &c.; title with ownership inscriptions crossed through. Scott 107-09; Brunet I, 1763; Renouard 299:3; STC French, p. 98; USTC 313. Vellum a little soiled, two of the ties somewhat frayed, intermittent minor browning, occasional spots of foxing, but quite an excellent copy, internally clean and fresh.

Comprising three major works written by an envoy and confidant of Mary, Queen of Scots, and owned by one of the most important political figures of the 17th century, this volume is of great interest for its radically pro-Marian stance, including an important treatise on the right of women to rule. In the worlds of DNB, the first work, a parallel history of the kings of France, England, and Scotland, "was a small triumph of compilation, exposition, and typography." It "placed Scotland in the mainstream of European history as seen by French readers, and emphasized the continuity of the Franco-Scottish alliance against England." The second work, dedicated to Mary, "stressed the civilized nature of the Scots, even the highlanders, and remarked (contrary to many received accounts of Scottish history) on the traditional harmony between Scottish kings and their subjects." (DNB) The final work, dedicated to Catherine de' Medici but clearly intended for the benefit of Mary, argues for the right of women to inherit property, and for royal women to be considered legitimate heirs to the throne. David Chalmers (ca. 1533- 92) a native Scot and a Catholic, played an important role in international politics during Mary's reign and subsequent fall. He was accused of having taken part in the murder of the queen's second husband, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley; he assisted Mary's escape from Lochleven Castle; and he fought for her right to rule (over her son James VI) at the Battle of Langside. He wrote the present works while in exile in France, allowing him greater latitude to take a strong stance in support of his country and his queen--who, by the time this volume was published, was in the custody of her cousin, Elizabeth. The provenance here is of considerable interest. John Hay (1626-97) was one of the most important men in Scotland and someone who seemed to have few equals when it came to political mutability. He fought for Charles I during the Civil War, but he was in the Parliamentary ranks at Marston Moor in 1644; he was with the royalists at Preston, but he was a member of Cromwell's parliament in 1656; he was again a king's man in 1663 when he was named president of the Scottish council and then extraordinary lord of session. Later, as a supporter of William of Orange, he was made Lord High Chancellor of Scotland. He became Marquess of Tweeddale and Earl of Gifford in 1694, a fact that means he must have purchased this book (or had a new bookplate made) during the final three years of his life. Our three titles appear for sale separately and together, but such appearances are very rare: besides the present volume, we could trace just one copy of the first work sold by itself and one other copy of the three titles bound together at auction. (ST20498)

Price: $5,000.00