On title page, date precedes identification of printer.

"Cum priuilegio." --foot of title page.

Prologue by John Rastell.

Running titles: The exposicion of termes of the lawe; The olde tenures.

"The olde tenures", leaves 115-138.

Colophon: Imprinted at London in Fletestrete within Temple Barre at the signe of the Hand and Starre by Rycharde Tottyl. 1572.

Collation: A-S⁸ [$4 signed]

Errors in foliation: leaves 62-69 and 87 printed 39, 46, 41, 41, 43, 39, 45, 43 and 78.

English text in black letter type, Law French text in Roman type; some italic type.

Floriated initial, leaf A2r.

Originally compiled ca. 1523, with the title "Expositiones terminoru[m] legum angloru[m]." The authorship and translation have been ascribed variously to John Rastell and his son William. The latter is usually considered the editor or translator. --cf. STC (2nd ed.) 20701, etc.; J.G. Marvin, Legal bibliography; Joseph Ames, Typographical antiquities; Dict. nat. biog.; Brit. mus. catalogue, etc.

STC (2nd ed.) 20705

Beale, J.H. Engl. law T456

Received May 7, 1904, gift of Prof. Jeremiah Smith.

Text in English and Law French in parallel columns.

Ex libris Samuel Mychell -- Thomas Mychell -- Gift of Jeremiah Smith.

Ex libris T. Ashe -- Bequest of Henry N. Ess, 2000.

Bound in late 18th century tree calf, with leather spine label: Law terms; rebacked. On title page in a 17th century hand (inked over): Thomas Mychell. At foot of colophon, in a 16th century hand: Samuel Mychell.

Bound in late 19th or early 20th century brown morocco period binding, covers decorated in blind with fillets and center medallion stamps. Signature "T. Ashe" on verso of inner paper guard, possibly that of legal writer Thomas Ashe (fl. 1600-1618)? Notes on front flyleaf in a 16th century hand; notes on verso are unrelated to the text and accompanied by a numeric chart.