England, 14th century CE. In a 1925 book about English legal history, Percy Winfield wrote, "It is doubtful whether any book used by mediaeval practitioners had greater importance in the history of law than the collection of writs known as Registrum Brevium." The writ is one of the foundations of Anglo-American law and this is a wonderful early document - a primary source from the period when our modern legal system was forming. This is a vellum page from the registrum brevium, the register of writs, with text written in two columns containing all or part of five writs. Although they are difficult to read, one of these is addressed to the Sheriff of Lancashire. Another mentions Thomas, the Abbot of S. and a church in Nottinghamshire. The right hand column has a gap that was probably for a larger capital “R” at the beginning of one writ. This is a very early document -- the oldest known preserved writ is only a century older, from 1205 -- and the fact that it is readable in parts makes it all the more amazing! Size: 5.8" W x 8.75" H (14.7 cm x 22.2 cm)

In the 14th century, writs were issued by the Court of Chancery (then composed of the personal staff of the Lord Chancellor) to convey the monarch's commands to his officers and servants. The vast majority of these writs were administrative, rather than judicial. The sheriff was the king's representative at the local level and his duty was to execute writs issued in Westminster. Sheriffs were generally large landowners in the counties in which they served. During the later 13th and 14th centuries, a series of provisions and acts would begin to free the English judiciary the absolute power of the monarch; statutes, notably Provisors and Praemunire, limited papal authority in England. Through these writs we can see the inner workings of a system of government beginning the journey to modernity.

Although this particular writ is not mentioned in it, many similar ones are in Elsa de Haas and CDG Hall, Early Register of Writs, Selden Society 87, 1970.

Provenance: Ex-private Bastiaan collection, acquired at Artemis Gallery in 2004.

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#115377

In delicate condition, with torn edges, folds, and staining, but a great deal of it remains readable.