![Laws of the Stannaries of Cornwall, made at the Convocation or Parliament of Tinners, at Truro, Sept. 13, Anno 27o Geo. II. In which the Laws made 22o Jac. I 12o Car. I 4o Jac. II. are recited and confirmed. To which are added the Laws made at Truro, 2o Annae Reg. by (CORNWALL). [CONVOCATION OF TINNERS.]](https://images.vialibri.net/production/26/5135---height_450.jpg?v=1567180710)
(CORNWALL). [CONVOCATION OF TINNERS.] ~ Laws of the Stannaries of Cornwall, made at the Convocation or Parliament of Tinners, at Truro, Sept. 13, Anno 27o Geo. II. In which the Laws made 22o Jac. I 12o Car. I 4o Jac. II. are recited and confirmed. To which are added the Laws made at Truro, 2o Annae Reg. [Truro:] printed by order of the Convocation, [ 1753].
8vo (195 × 120 mm.), pp. [2], 126. Contemporary red morocco, panelled spine with black morocco label, gilt, gilt edges. Slightly rubbed, most noticeable on the spine. A handsome copy.
First edition of this codification of the laws governing the Cornish tin industry. The Convocation of Tinners exercised ancient rights of jurisdiction over much of Cornwall; customary rights exercised long before the codification of English law and which had been confirmed by royal charters since the time of Edward I. Stannary law was sanctioned by the crown in recognition of the special responsibilities of the Cornish tinners in providing a valuable raw material. It has been claimed that the right to hold Convocations has never been formally repealed by the English crown, a legal anomaly exploited by the Cornish nationalist movement. A previous codification had been printed in 1725. Goldsmiths’ 8776; Higgs 433; Kress 5279.