LINDENBROG, Friedrich.
Codex legum antiquarum…
Frankfurt, Johannes & Andrea Marne, et consortes, 1613£1,750.00
FIRST EDITION. Folio. pp. [xxiv] 1570 [ii]. Roman letter. Engraved vignette incorporating the Imperial Eagle on title, printer’s woodcut device at end, woodcut initials and headpieces. Some leaves a bit browned, a few rust spots. A very good, well-margined copy in contemporary Dutch vellum over boards, covers with central blindstamped arabesque, spine in 6 compartments, lacking ties. Acquisition note of Prof. L Van de Poll of Utrecht, 28 March 1692 in lower corner of title, 19th-c armorial bookplate of the Earls of Macclesfield at Shirburn castle inside upper cover, their armorial blindstamp to first two leaves.
First edition of Lindenbrog’s substantial juridical work. Lindenbrog (1573-1648) studied under Scaliger at Leiden. He travelled widely in England, France, and Italy, before returning to his native country to practice law. He was a prolific author and successful lawyer, and later also a canon of Hamburg Cathedral. The present work is a compendium of legal history focussing on the Holy Roman Empire and combines such sources as St. Ansegisus and Benedictus Levita. It covers diverse aspects of the law, including: the respective rights of men and women, marriage, inheritance, legitimate and bastard offspring, criminal law including homicide, laws affecting priests, bishops and the administration of the sacraments, Jews and conversion as well as more everyday provisions touching vicious dogs, animals, butchers and fishmongers, places of worship and court procedure. It incorporates the laws of the Visigoths and of Naples and several German principalities; and the edicts of Theodoric. An interesting compendium in a nice contemporary binding.
BM Ger. L751; Brunet III, p. 1082 \"Ouvrage estimé, et dont les exemplaires se trouvent difficilement\"; Graesse IV, 213; Wellcome 3808; not in Adams.