A TREATISE AND DISCOURSE OF THE LAWES OF THE FORREST

192 x 139 mm. (7 5/8 x 5 1/2"). 8 p.l., 154, 162-65, 159-67, [1, blank], [6] leaves. Errors in pagination, but text complete. Late 19th century dark brown calf, covers tooled in blind with plain rules and fleur-de-lys roll, raised bands, spine panels with small blind-stamped ornament, black morocco label, marbled endpapers (neat repairs to ends of both joints). Front pastedown with engraved armorial bookplate of Godfrey Wentworth, Woolley Park. Beale T-413; Mellon/Podeschi 15; Schwerdt II, 7; STC 17291; ESTC S111993. Extremities slightly rubbed, boards a little chafed in spots, text lightly pressed (but not washed), a bit of browning to edges and occasional minor marginal foxing or traces of corner creases, but quite an excellent copy, the text clean and still fresh throughout, and the perfectly suitable binding with no significant wear. This is a pleasing country gentleman's copy of the first published treatise on the laws governing English forests. Our author, the fittingly named woodsman John Manwood (d. 1610), served as gamekeeper of Waltham Forest, as well as a justice of the New Forest. DNB tells us that he was possibly a barrister at Lincoln's Inn, which would explain his interest in, and knowledge of, the law. Manwood tells us in the dedicatory epistle that he composed the present work in response to the precarious state of forest preservation, stating that "so many do daily so contemptuously commit such heynous spoiles and trespasses" against the country's woodlands, but "verie little, or nothing, as yet is extant concerning the Lawes of the Forrest" to help manage such behaviors. Our copy comes from the first published edition, following only the 1592 pamphlet entitled "A Brefe Collection of the Lawes of the Forest," issued for private circulation and now extraordinarily rare. According to DNB, the present treatise is "the only substantial work on the subject ever to reach the press," making it an enduringly useful source for those interested in the topics contained, which include laws about hunting and perambulation in forests. It remained the standard work on the subject until the 19th century, and Schwerdt writes that it has been "invaluable to students and lovers of ancient sport." Our copy is from the library of Yorkshire landowner Godfrey Wentworth (1773-1834), who served as High Sheriff of Yorkshire from 1796-97 and in the House of Commons from 1806-08. He probably had no need for a later printing of the work. FIRST PUBLISHED EDITION, and First Edition under this Title.…