Western Europe, England, 1560 CE. A well-preserved court document, hand-written on one side of a thin sheet of vellum. This is a copy of a court roll from 12 October, 1560, describing the will of John Cooke, who was a yeoman in Yoxford, a manor (and today a town) in Suffolk, on the southeastern coast of Britain, and his widow's petition for access to lands granted to her. The legal document would have been drawn up by a professional court recorder who made copies to distribute to interested parties. Size: 19.25" W x 12.5" H (48.9 cm x 31.8 cm)

This document is of particular interest because it is the result of a petition brought to court by a woman who owned property - an oftentimes forgotten reality of the past. This was a dynamic time for the English legal system, as the end of feudalism and the abrupt changes of the Reformation swept away old legal standards, especially those applying to the management of lands. This particular document refers to John Cooke's death, and his surrender of his lands before his death to uses specified in his will (dated 20 August, 1557), which is quoted at length. It describes him as John Cooke the elder of Yoxford yeoman, and grants his message (dwelling house and premises) and lands (except a tenement called Wolsyes and its lands, which was occupied by Richard Knyghtes) to his wife Margaret for life. Thereafter his message, which is called Cokes, would go to his son John. The document here then goes on to describe the new petition, from his now-widow Margaret, who has come to court to request admission to the lands, which are then listed with many acreages and field names.

Provenance: Ex-Hagar Collection

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#120027

Throughout most of the document, ink has not faded and text is still vivid. Strong fold marks; three of the corners are also folded; slight wear along one edge from handling; one area of blotting/scratching to ink - probably a deliberate attempt to cross out a line.