Lancashire Legal Formulary

  • Reference
    • GB 133 Eng MS 287
  • Dates of Creation
    • Late 16th century
  • Name of Creator
  • Language of Material
    • English and Latin
  • Physical Description
    • 205 x 149 mm. 1 volume (ii + 94 + iii folios); Medium: paper. Binding: original limp binding of alum-tawed skin, with fore-edge flap and tying thong.

Scope and Content

The volume contains numerous examples of deeds and legal documents, including bills, indentures of lease, bargain and sale, letters of attorney, bills of acquittance, bonds, writs, petitions and warrants. Many of the exemplars relate to Preston and elsewhere in Lancashire. Some forms are in Latin, but they are mostly in English. There is also a copy of a court roll for the manor of Woodplumpton near Preston, Lancashire, 12 Eliz. [1569-70]. Original foliation survives.

Access Information

The manuscript is available for consultation by any accredited reader.

Acquisition Information

Purchased by the John Rylands Library in 1915 from the London bookseller Bernard Quaritch, together with English MS 288, for £10; invoice dated 2 July 1915. Accession no. R39329.

Custodial History

The volume has several marks of ownership: signature of John Thompson on the turn-in of the lower cover; inscription 'John Willoughbye est verus possessor' on the turn-in of the lower cover; and signature 'Nycholas Tomsonn' on a paper binding slip. Lot no. 448 in an early 20th-century sale: the catalogue entry is enclosed loose inside the front cover.