Eirenarcha: Or of the Office of the Iustices of Peace, In Two Bookes.
An Interesting Perspective on Elizabethan England Lambard(e), William [1536-1601]. Eirenarcha: Or of the Office of the Iustices of Peace, In Two Bookes: Gathered 1579. And Now Revised, And First Published, In the 24. Yeere of the Peaceable Reigne of Our Gratious Queene Elizabeth. London: Imprinted by Ra. Newbery, And H. Bynnean, 1582. [vii], 511, [15] pp. Octavo (6-1/4" x 4-1/2"). Recent period-style paneled calf, blind fleurons to inside panels, raised bands and blind ornaments to spine, early hand-lettered title to fore-edge of text block. Title printed within woodcut architectural border, woodcut head-pieces, tail-pieces and decorated initials, woodcut arms of dedicatee, Sir Robert Bromley, facing dedication leaf, large woodcut device to verso of final leaf. Light toning to text, some edgewear to endleaves and title page. Brief early annotation to front endleaf, interior otherwise clean. An appealing copy. $1,500. * Second edition, one of two issues from 1582. Lambard, or Lambarde, a barrister and legal historian, was the keeper of records at the Rolls Chapel and the Tower of London. First published in 1581, Eirenarcha is esteemed for its comprehensive and systematic account of the organization of local government under the justices of the peace at the end of the sixteenth century. It was the standard authority for many years and often reprinted. Like many books of its kind, Eirenarcha offers fascinating insights into the society that produced it. This is evident in the detailed indictments for such offenses as murder via witchcraft, raping a child or maid (the age of distinction was ten), hearing a Catholic Mass, practicing usury and operating a bowling alley. Beale, Bibliography of Early English Law Books T388. English Short-Title Catalogue S108154.
Price: $1,500.00
Book number 63911