Watson, William

The Clergy-Man's Law: or, the Complete Incumbent ... 

Savoy; 1747

Later rebound half calf and marbled boards, gilt-lettered panelled spine

Some upper corners damp-marked, some browning, few repairs to early leaves, but generally good
Replaced endpapers and binding 

 IV, (8), 656, (61)pp.

Folio. Size 9 1/4 by 14 1/4"

Text in English


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"Most Elaborate" Treatise on English Law and the Clergy Watson, William [1637?-1689]. 
"[During the eighteenth century a] number of books aimed at setting out more or less a summary of those branches of law which would be useful to the clergy. The most elaborate of these books is [the present title], which was first published in 1701 and reached a fourth edition by 1747.
The author was a clergyman who held the deanery of Battel; but he had been educated with a view to becoming a practitioner in the ecclesiastical courts, and had taken his degree of doctor of laws. Because he had had a legal education he was, he tells us 'soon apply'd to by his neighbours, as a person able to advise them in the many doubts and difficulties that daily occurred to them.' (...) The book deals clearly and systematically in fifty-nine chapters with the law and practice on all topics which are useful to the clergy. It is a learned book; but, as the title page indicates, it is compiled almost entirely from the English cases, statutes and other authorities, to which the full references are given. Though the author is an LL.D. he is obviously more learned in English law than in the civil or canon law.": Holdsworth, History of English Law 12.
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