Reliquiae Spelmannianae: The Posthumous Works of Sir Henry Spelman.. by Spelman, Sir Henry; Edmund Gibson editor - 1698

1698. with annotations in an early (1806) hand. with annotations in an early (1806) hand. Compilation of Spelman's Writings With Annotations From a Previous Owner Spelman, Sir Henry [?1564-1641]. [Gibson, Edmund, Editor]. Reliquiae Spelmannianae: The Posthumous Works of Sir Henry Spelman Relating to the Laws and Antiquities of England Published from the Original Manuscripts. With the Life of the Author. Oxford: Printed at the Theater for Awnsham and John Churchill, 1698. [xxxii], 214, [12] pp. Copperplate portrait frontispiece, copperplate of Oxford's Sheldonian Theatre to title page. Two folding tables. Folio (12-1/2" x 8"). Recent period-style quarter morocco over marbled boards, raised bands and lettering piece to spine. Light rubbing to extremities with minor wear to corners, a few tiny nicks to boards, some fading to spine. Very light toning to text. Early owner signatures to title page, later signature of "A. Merriwether" dated 1806. Brief annotations in Merriwether's neat hand in several places, extensive annotations to a few leaves. An appealing copy. $500. * Only edition. Contents mostly in English, a few essays in Latin. Spelman was an eminent antiquarian, legal historian and member of Parliament. This volume consists largely of an essay on feuds and a reprint of his 1641 treatise The Original Growth, Propagation and Condition of Tenures by Knight Service (1641). Another important item is the "Apologie for Arch-Bishop Abbot," which addresses Abbot's manslaughter conviction by chance medley in a test case for a clergyman's rights under such circumstances. Other essays discuss wills, land tenures, the rank of knights, early English law, military law and historical subjects. English Short-Title Catalogue R22617.