The Brehon Laws: A Legal Handbook

“The Brehon Laws” explores early Irish—or “Brehon”—law, which shaped everyday life in Early Medieval Ireland. It looks at the history, influences and development of the laws, as well as what little remained of them in contemporary Irish law. Brehon Law survived in Ireland until the 17th century when it was finally supplanted by the English common law. Brehon law was first transcribed in the 7th century, but had existed long before in the form of customs that were passed down the generations in the oral tradition. This vintage book will appeal to those with an interest in Irish history, and it is not to be missed by collectors of related literature. Contents include: “Ancient Law”, “The Existing Remains of Irish Law”, “The Senchus Mor”, “Legislative Assemblies”, “Classification of Society”, “The Law of Distraining”, “Criminal Law”, “Leges Minores”, “Native, Not Roman”, and “Conclusion”. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new biography of the author.