Craig, Sir Thomas

Jus Feudale tribus libris comprehensum. Quibus non solum consuetudines Feudales & Praediorum Jura, quae in Scotia, Anglia, & plerisque Galliae locis obtinent, continentur; sed Universum Jus Scoticum, et omnes fere Materiae Juris clare & dilucide exponuntur, et ad fontes Juris Feudalis & Civilis singula reducuntur.

      Craig, Sir Thomas [1538- - 1608]. London: Impensis Societatis Stationariorum, 1655. Folio. [xii], 383, [1, blank] pp. Full contemporary sheep, damp stain to final leaves Woodcut head-pieces and initials. * Rare first edition. Jus Feudale, in marked contrast with the compilations which preceded it, is an original work. "Indeed Craig was the first systematic writer on law in Scotland. The Jus Feudale is not a mere textbook of the law of land rights, but is a learned disquisition upon a great social system. The opening chapters are devoted to an examination of the sources of law in general, and trace the history and development of the Civil, Canon and Feudal laws. If Craig had accomplished no more than that he would have been entitled to a foremost place amongst our jurists, for unquestionably the form of his book not only exemplified the philosophical outlook of the learned Scots lawyer, but provided a model of construction and treatment for his successors." Marke 41. Wing C6802. HLC I:482. [Attributes: First Edition]