Reprint of the rare first edition of the first printed work devoted entirely to criminal law. It is considered a "principal book" by Pollock and Maitland, one that enables us "to trace our modern laws of crimes, from the later middle ages onwards." Based on Bracton and the Year Books, Staunford's treatise is divided into three parts. The first treats offences, the second treats jurisdiction, appeals, indictments, and defenses. The third addresses trials and convictions. Plees was written after Staunford [1509-1558] was appointed judge of the common pleas in 1554. Pollock and Maitland, The History of English Law II:448.

This book focuses on medieval legal history. The essays discuss the birth of the Common Law, the interaction between systems of law, the evolution of the legal profession, and the operation and procedures of the Common Law in England. All these factors will ensure a warm reception of the volume by a broad range of readers.

This emphasis of this collection is upon the history of courts and their procedures, they also illustrate the varied approaches and themes of legal history today.

On dust cover of Book I: "with a general editor's introduction by Wilfrid Priest."

THE FUGITIVE SHAKESPEARE AND SONNET 144 The discovery of a 16th century manuscript version of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 144 is the most important historical and literary find ever made relating to Shakespearean studies. The date of composition of this manuscript indicates ca.1577-78 when William Shakspere (the original spelling of his family name) was aged between 13-14 which would suggest that he couldn’t have written this Sonnet because he was too young. The story behind this discovery and how the document was found is as astonishing as how the document has managed to survive for over 400 years. The connection in this story between Shakespeare and the famous playwright Ben Jonson is also explored as it was Jonson who provided the most important evidence that Shakespeare was the author of the First Folio which was published in 1623. “At last, after more than four hundred years there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, a significant Shakespearean clue has been discovered which may help to solve the Shakespeare authorship question.” – Sir Derek Jacobi, award-winning Shakespearean actor.