Own a true piece of medieval history! This is an original, authentic 13th-century legal document from the reign of King Edward I (Edward "Longshanks"), written in Latin on genuine animal vellum (parchment). Measuring 43.5 x 19.2 cm, this manuscript is a rare "Feet of Fines" court record, detailing property and land agreements settled before the king's justices at Westminster.
Featuring dark, hand-penned iron gall ink in traditional medieval court hand script with characteristic ruled lines, this artifact offers a breathtaking visual window into medieval English law and daily life over 700 years ago.
Condition:
Displays authentic medieval character with natural aging, vellum waviness, horizontal folding creases, and rich historical patina. An extraordinary centrepiece for collectors of medieval antiques, ancient manuscripts, or a stunning museum-quality display piece.
A fascinating and unique piece of history.
This document is a Medieval Feet of Fines (a pedis finis or final concordanza/final concord), written in Latin on vellum (calfskin parchment) in a traditional legal cursive script Secretary hand / Court hand.
This is a transcription of some of the text giving a view as to the content:
Hec est finalis concordia facta in curia domini regis... (This is the final concord made in the court of our lord the king...)
Mention of royal justices and faithful subjects present (et aliis domini regis fidelibus tunc ibi presentibus).
Statements of quitclaim, conveyance, and warranty (remiserunt et quietum clamauerunt... de se et heredibus... in perpetuum).
Final monetary consideration or payment clause (Et pro hac remissione...).
Endorsement on the back (Image 2): Solut[us] ... relating to legal filing, recording, or entry fees.
What the Document Is About
A Feet of Fines was a vital legal record used in medieval England to record a land transaction or settle a property dispute securely. It was generated as a tripartite indenture (or final agreement) resulting from a fictitious or real lawsuit in the Royal Court (Curia Regis). Once recorded, copies were kept as an unassailable permanent record to prevent future land disputes, protect titles against conflicting claims, and legally transfer ownership rights of messuages, lands, and tenements between parties (querens and deforciants).
The document will be delivered folded along it's original crease lines.
The document is written on vellum and measures 435 x 192mm (17" x 7.56").
The US price includes prepaid import tariffs.
The picture showing the period setting is included to give context, please be aware that it has been AI generated and so please rely on the actual dimensions given here for more accurate sizing.
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