man 43 Fenton’s Law Book – on Copyhold tenants from early 16th century

FENTON’S LAW BOOK  Compiled largely in the early 17th Century,
The original purpose of the book was a draft for a legal textbook on copyhold tenure. The author has not been specifically identified, but there are clues to suggest that it was probably started soon after 1600. Subsequent owners of the book used it for a variety of purposes up to the middle of the 18th century, in particular:
A record of the service of the office of Reeve in the Manor of Newcastle. Contains also a record of the service of the office of Reeve in the Manor of Newcastle under Lyme from 1577 to 1752. Amongst the notes added by subsequent users of the book are contributors to parts of the Collections of Rates in the Manor of Newcastle under Lyme. The remainder of the book comprises other miscellaneous notes which include a few 17th century extracts from the records of the Manor of Newcastle under Lyme, and personal accounting notes by various contemporary owner of the book.
This book was discovered hidden in the archives at Stafford, almost by accident. It should be held along with all other manorial material in the National Archives. However, the contents over seventy-tree pages are truly a treasure-trove waiting to be studied and placed into contacts. Wonderful study for a Masters or Phd student or even a local group. This is a mid-blowing history book never before used or perhaps seen since its deposit at Stafford.