Armorial Bindings: Montagu-Scott's Institutes

Institutiones D. Iustinianei (1664), with arms of Charles William Henry Montagu-Scott.

This copy of the Institutes of Justinian, the introductory text of Roman law taught for centuries in continental law classes, was produced by the great Dutch printer Elzevir.  The book, in a small and popular format, was likely also a pocket reference for lawyers.

Charles William Henry Montagu Douglas Scott (1772-1819) was the Scottish Duke of Buccleuch, and served in Parliament as Baron Tynedale.  His arms feature a stag trippant (walking), with the coronet of a duke and a thistle below, indicating the noble Order of the Thistle.

– Ryan Greenwood, Rare Book Fellow

“Armorial Bindings,” an exhibit curated by Ryan Greenwood, is on display from September 23 to December 18, 2013, and is located on level L2 of the Lillian Goldman Law Library, Yale Law School.