1995: Division I
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History in Deed: Medieval Society & the Law in England, 1100-1600. An Exhibition of Deeds & Charters from the Harvard Law School Library.

Exhibition and catalog prepared by Carol Symes, with an introduction by Prof. Charles Donahue, Jr.

Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University, 1993.

68 p., illustrated.

Drawing on a recently uncovered collection of deeds and charters from the Harvard Law School Library, Carol Symes, who cataloged the collection and designed the exhibition, shows how these medieval records not only document English land law and conveyancing practice but also tell us much about the social life of this period in the countryside as well as in towns, about family life and religion. Professor Donahue's introduction provides an excellent overview for the non-specialist and a framework which is filled in by Carol Symes in chapters such as "The ABCs of Written Record," "Law and Society," "Seals," "The Deeds of Women," and "The Washfield Saga: Land Tenure & Family History in Devon, 1275-1800." The rectangular format mimics that of many of the deeds and accommodates the numerous well-produced illustrations.

Designed by Ethan Thomas, and printed by Puritan Printers. Catalog produced in conjunction with an exhibition held October — December, 1993, Langdell Hall, Harvard Law School. Division One Winner, 1995. Exhibited courtesy of the Exhibition Catalog Awards Committee, RBMS. (ES)

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