This sale might be of interest to some members of the list:
Courts Leet and Courts Barron
Hanson Auctioneers are to auction a rare 17th century book called The Court
Keepers Guide for the keeping of Courts Leet and Courts Barron written by
William Sheppard in 1685.
The sale is to take place on 18 March and the book dating back to the reign
of Charles ll is expected to create considerable interest. The book provides an
insight into the laws of the land at that time and acts as a guide for the land-
owning gentry of the day.
'It is a socially interesting book and in many respects' remarked auctioneer
Charles Hanson ‘it is satisfying to note we live in a more civilised society’ “The
content in a modern age is really quite alien as the following suggests.”
As a guide to Court Keepers and To all the Lords of Manors it is noted;
‘The things which are now made treason and are enemies to the king are wilful
burners of houses or stacks of corn, takers of Doves out of Dove houses or
stealers of tame deer’.
The book also states, ‘The following are common nuisances done to the Kings
subjects, – Evil members and persons of ill behaviour who are dangerous to
their neighbours such as taking doves, or are common drunkards, the common
hunters of alehowles, night walkers and day sleepers that have no estate and
do not fare well, eves droppers and common hedge breakers’
The book carries an estimate of £200-300.
[Information from Ibookcollector Newsletter - 151]
Dee
Dee Cook
Archivist
Society of Apothecaries
Apothecaries' Hall
Black Friars Lane
London EC4V 6EJ
Tel: 020 7248 6648
Email: [log in to unmask]
Website: www.apothecaries.org
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