The manuscript book, soft bound in vellum, contains what appears to be the copy of a legal text.It bears its original foliation, and each page also identifies the book and folio number of theoriginal source. It is prefaced by two indices, which may be original to this copy. The first is anindex of names referring to relevant entries throughout the volume. The second is an alphabeticallist of legal terms and concepts, again referenced to the following text.
The main text, written in Latin, law French and English, provides details of legal cases andprecedents with marginal references to other cases and legal authorities.
The cases concern individuals, institutions and types of legal action. Persons referred toinclude: Sir William Shelley (c.1480-1549); Sir Rowland Hayward (c.1520-1594, Sheriff and Lord Mayorof London); Sir Hugh Cholmley (1600-1657, Yorkshire landowner, or his son, Sir Hugh Cholmley,1632-1689); 'Mr Cromwell' (probably Oliver Cromwell, 1599-1658); the Abbott of Strata Marcella andthe Rector of Cheddington. There are references to commissions of sewers; the counties of Salop (nowShropshire), Bedfordshire, Rutland, Pembrokeshire, Northumberland (now Northumbria) and Cumberland(now Cumbria); Thetford School; the City of London; the College of Physicians of London and TrinityCollege Cambridge. Other actions at law are examined, including bankruptcy, libel, leases, slander,and copyhold.