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Twiss, Monumenta juridica (Black Bk. of Admiralty, 1871-76), 4v
Monumenta juridical; The Black Book of the Admiralty: ed. by Sir Travers Twiss, Vol. 1-4, London, Longman & Co., etc., 1871-76, all published. (The
original “Black Book of the Admiralty” is thought to date from the time of Edward III, with later additions. The text is a compilation of English
admiralty law created during the reigns of several earlier English monarchs, starting with the Rolls of Oléron, promulgated ca. 1160 by Eleanor of
Aquitaine. To quote an American authority: “It has always been deemed of the highest authority in matters concerning the admiralty; containing the Laws of
Oléron, a view of the crimes and offences cognizable in the admiralty, ordinances and commentaries on matters of prize and maritime torts, injuries, and
contracts and many other matters.” 2 Gall. 404. Given its antiquity, the original text survived only in subsequent manuscript copies. The classic
print edition is the present edition by Sir Travers Twiss, which was published by the authority of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury,
under the direction of the Master of the Rolls. In Vol. 1, pp. 1-344, Twiss provides the text of the “Black Book” in the original Anglo-Norman with a
parallel English translation. A scholarly discussion of the plan of the work is included in Twiss’ lengthy introduction, starting on p. lxxi of Vol. 1.
In addition to the “Black Book” itself, in appendices in Vol. 1 {p.347-491} and in the three remaining appendix volumes, Twiss provides copies in
various languages, along with historical commentary, of a trove of related early legal manuscripts related to admiralty. These include for Vol. I:
Regulations from the early 15th cent. admiralty of Sir Thomas Beaufort, pp. 347-421; The ordinances of Philippe de Valois for the 1338 expedition by the
Duke of Normandy against England, pp. 420-29; The 1373 ordinance of Charles V on the jurisdiction of the admiralty, pp. 430-42; MSS on the rights &
privileges of the admirals of France, n.d., pp. 443-58; A 1385 ordinance of war made by Richard II, pp. 453-58, and another in 1419 by Henry V, pp.
459-491. Texts in Vol. II include: TOC, p. 2-15; Le Domesday de Gippewyz {Domesday of Ipswich, ca. 2 John}, pp. 16-209; Les Costumes d’Oleron et deu Jutgamen
de la Mar, pp. 210-243; TOC, pp. 244-53; Les bons Usages et les bonnes Costumes et les bons Jugemenz de la Commune d’Oleron, pp. 254-401; TOC, pp.
402-405; Li Establimens de la Comune de Roan {Royan}, n.d., pp. 406-35; La Manière comment les Maistres des Navires et Marchans…regir et gouverner par
le Jugement de la Mer et Roolle d’Olayron, pp. 431-81. Texts in Vol. III include: TOC & La Chartre d’Oleroun des Jugemens de la Meer, pp. 2-36; TOC &
Les Bones Costumes de la Mer, pp. 37-658. Texts in Vol. IV include: An introduction the literature of medieval sea codes, pp. vii-clii; Charter and
ordinances of the Maritime Court of Amalphi {the Amalphitan Table}, pp. 3-54; The Gotland Sea-Laws, pp. pp. 55-132; Var. readings of the “Black Book of
the Admiralty,” pp. 133-146; Glossary of Anglo-Norman & Gascon words in the Rolls of Oleron, etc., pp. 147-200; Glossary of Catalan words in the
“Consulate of the Sea,” pp. 201-40; Glossary of Saxon or Low-German words in the Gotland Sea-Laws, pp. 241-64; The Laws of Wisbuy, pp. 265-86; Code of the
Teutonic Order of Livonia, pp. 287-302; The “Purple Book” of Bruges, pp. 303-36; The Dantzic Ship-Laws, pp. 337-58; Code of maritime law drawn up at
Lubeck for the use of the Osterlings, A.D. 1299, pp. 359-86; Preamble to the Wisby Town-Law, pp. 387-90; Wisby Town-Law on shipping, pp. 391-416;
Sea-Laws in Flanders, pp. 417-50; Judicial order of the Court of the Consuls of the Sea at Valencia, pp. 451-98; Maritime assises of the Latin Kingdom of
Jerusalem, pp. 499-522; Ordinances and customs of the sea published by the Consuls of the City of Trani, pp. 523-46. Indexes specific to each of the
four volumes start at pp. 476, 486, 659, & 547 respectively.)
Title:   Monumenta juridica : the black book of the Admiralty, with an appendix / edited by Sir Travers Twiss, Q.C., D.C.L., Her Majesty's advocate general ; published by the authority of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, under the direction of the Master of the Rolls.
OCLC Number:   603105260
Available Volumes
NameFiche CountOnlinePaper Backup
Volume 1YesNo
Volume 2YesNo
Volume 3YesNo
Volume 4YesNo