Statham's Abridgement of the Law

The only English translation of the first book of its kind, enhanced by Professor Seipp's detailed Table of Contents demonstrating the exhaustive scope of the work, followed by his new introductory essay. Statham's Abridgment was originally published circa 1490. Drawn from the Year Books and arranged alphabetically, it contains 258 titles and about 3,700 notes on cases and points of law. Some of the earlier entries are brief, but it also contains some long reports that do not appear in the printed Year Books. Statham [d.1472], to whom this work is attributed, devotes much attention to criminal law, trespass and procedure. It is, on the whole, a fascinating document and a landmark in the development of the common law. With a New Introduction and Table of Contents by David J. Seipp, Professor of Law, Boston University. 2 vols. XXXII (new Table of Contents and new Introduction), xxxiv, 1308 pp.