Title within a border of type ornaments.

Preface by Thomas Wotton (signed T.W.), dated 16 April 1576.

Commendatory verse by William Fleetwood.

Colophon: Imprinted at London by Henrie Middleton, for Rafe Newbery dwelling in Fleetestreate, a litle aboue the conduite. Anno domini. 1576.

Collation: [par]⁴ 2[par]⁴ A-G⁴ H⁴ (H2+'H2') I-3H⁴ 3I² [$3 (+BHKLMNOPS4, -R2) signed; misprinting N3 as M3; 2L3 as 2K2]

Errors in pagination: pages 16, 50, 51, 65, and 68-69 printed 17, 51, 50, 33, and 36-37; pages 72, 85, 88, 161-168, 212-213, and 397 printed 40, 88, 85, 169-176, 112-113, and 379.

In predominantly black letter type; some Roman, italic, and Old English type.

Initials, some historiated.

Side notes.

Includes index.

Errata: leaves [7]verso - [8] recto.

Map titled 'Saxones Angliae Heptarchia' inserted between p. [16] and 1.

The customary laws of Kent, in English translation and original Law French in alternate lines: p. 416-427.

Preface to errata notes that 600 copies of this work were printed.

Exists in two states: a) gathering 2[par]1 is unsigned and 2[par]3 misprinted as 2[par]2; or b) 2[par]⁴ correctly signed.

"The earliest county history, based on wide and critical reading ... it draws also on Domesday Book and on royal charters, and includes in its climatic, economic, social, religious, and historical survey a short investigation of the see of Canterbury; a discussion of the local inheritance custom of gavelkind is appended." --Oxford DNB.

Goldsmiths'-Kress no. 00178.

STC (2nd ed.) 15175

Beale, J.H. Engl. law T396

English short title catalogue, S108236

Pollard, A.W. Short-title catalogue of books printed in England, Scotland, & Ireland and of English books printed abroad, 1475-1640 (2nd ed.), 15175

Received Nov. 10, 1897; later HLSL reback.

Most of text in English, with some in Latin, Old English, and Law French.

Ex libris Henry Latham -- William Buxton -- William Bromley -- Bequest of Henry N. Ess, 2000.

Ex libris John Baynard -- J. Kempthorne.

In this copy gathering 2[par]1 is unsigned and 2[par]3 is misprinted as 2[par]2. Bound in worn 18th century sprinkled calf, covers decorated with fillets, all edges sprinkled red. Armorial bookplate of William Bromley of Baginton in the county of Warwicke Esq. At foot of title, partially cropped: 'Henry Latham 1576.' At head of title: 'Liber Willm. Buxton Lindliaci Leicestrensis: 1597.' A few marginal annotations.

In this copy, gathering 2[par]⁴ is correctly signed. Bound in 17th century calf, covers decorated in blind with fillets, decorative rolls and corner ornaments; rebacked. Ownership inscription at head of title: J. Kempthorne given me by Mr. Jn. Baynard - 1728.