Legal Manuscripts | Statuta vetera, in Latin [England, 14th century]

88 x 65 mm, Statuta Vetera on vellum, in Latin and French, England, 14^th century, 214 leaves (bound too tight to collate reliably); c. 22 lines ruled (not consistently), written in an Anglican hand (multiple hands), modern foliation in right lower corner; a few large Lombardic capitals in red and blue and numerous small, flourished initials; in fair condition, slightly trimmed, first few leaves faded and darkened, f.15 repaired; in modern morocco binding with fitted case.

A FASCINATING WITNESS TO ENGLAND'S LEGAL LEGACY WITH NUMEROUS ANNOTATIONS DEMONSTRATING CONTINUED USE AND IMPORTANCE

Following the groundbreaking creation of Magna Carta in 1215, the kings of England issued legal statutes to supplement and amend the rights as defined by Magna Carta. These legal amendments, or statutes, were compiled in manuscripts, so-called Vetera Statua Anglia (engl. Old Stautes of England) unifying the defining principles on which English common law relied on. These manuscripts, very often in small, easily portable formats, like the manuscript at hand, presented essential reading for lawyers and also a wider, literate audience who had the desire and the need to acquaint themselves with specific legalities and formalities, such as landowners, public officials, and members of the clergy.

There are two distinct traditions of statutes, the Statuta Vetera and the Statuta Nova. This manuscript contains the Statuta Vetera, which comprise the statutes of England beginning with the Magna Carta which was first issued in 1215 by King John and reconfirmed by Edward I in 1297. Statuta Vetera end with the statutes enacted during the reign of Edward II (d. 1327), while the Statuta nova begin with laws from the reign of Edward III (ruled 1327-1377).

With its selection of statutes and writs, the manuscript at hand provides a fascinating glimpse into England’s legal history and enduring legacy of Magna Carta. The volume’s numerous annotations and marginal notes demonstrate a sustained use and importance up until the 18^th century.

TEXTS

- f. 1r-7v, Capitularium and contents

- f.8r-9v, Feather trials and later ownership inscriptions

- f.10r-14v, Magna Carta, Capitularium

- f.15r-17r, Quo Warranto

- f.17v-20v, Forest Charter confirmed by Edward

- f.21r-26v, Statue of Merton

- f.27r-40v, Statute of Marlborough

- f.41r-65r, Statute of Westminster I

- f.65v-112v, Statute of Westminster II

- f.113r/v Statute of Westminster III (Quia emptores, 1285)

- f.114r-115r, Statuta de Religiosis

- f.115r-120v, Statute of Gloucester

- f.121r-122v, De Moneta

- f.123r-126r, Charter King Edward

- f.126r/v, Districtiones

- f.127r-129r, Statue of Wynton

- f.129r-129v, Statute Circumspecte Agatis

- f.130r-132v, De meatoribus statuta,

- f.133r-139r, Register of Writs

- f. 140-208v, Writs

- f. 209r-214, Capitularium Magna Carta

PROVENANCE

1. Compiled in England in the late 14th century.

2. UK, Private Collection.

LITERATURE

Breay, Claire and Julian Harrison, eds. Magna Carta: Law, Liberty, Legacy, London, 2015.

BL, Skemer, D. C. “Sir William Breton’s Book: Production of Statuta Angliae in the Late Thirteenth Century,” English Manuscript Studies, 1100-1700 6 (1997), pp. 24-51.

The Harvard Law School's Collection of Medieval English Statute Books and Register of Writs, HLS MS 49, https://amesfoundation.law.harvard.edu/digital/StatsAndRegWrits/StatsAndRegs_display_mysqli.php?ms=49.

Ibidem, HLS MS 161, https://amesfoundation.law.harvard.edu/digital/StatsAndRegWrits/StatsAndRegs_display_mysqli.php?ms=161.