Annotated by a contemporary hand
[Law of inheritance.] A treatise concerning estates tayle, and discents of inheritance. Written by N. N. and published by I. Sherman, of Lincolnes Inne. London: John Grove. 1641.
4to. Recent calf, boards ruled in blind with double fillets, spine blind-ruled in compartments; pp. [1 (blank)], [ii], 42, [i.e. 43], [1 (blank)], woodcut initial, headpiece and ornaments; light off-setting to initial and final leaves, worm hole to lower margin of ff. D1-4 not affecting text, small paper flow to f. F2 touching a few letters, but generally very good. Provenance: contemporary ownership signature “John Gregges” to verso of title page and to A1 (washed); contemporary notes to A1 and other 8 pp; ink stamp of the Birmingham Law Society to title page.
First and only edition of this treatise disputing the validity of entails and primogeniture.
Inspired by the cultural climate preceding the English Civil War, this anonymous work advocates for modernising aspects of common law, particularly the feudal practices surrounding inheritance and succession. A contentious treatise, it argues against these customs, grounding its stance in both classic common-law and religious sources.
ESTC R32142
#2114769