FIRST GERMAN TRANSLATION OF KING CHRISTIAN V'S "DANISH LAW"

THE "DANISH LAW" OF 1683.

Königs Christians Des Fünften Dänsches Gesetz. Aus dem Dänschen ins Teutsche übersetzet.

Copenhagen, Joachim Schmedtgen, 1699.

8vo. In contemporary full calf with five raised bands and richly gilt spine and two clasps. With King Christian V's monogram in gold to upper part of spine. Edges of boards gilt. All edges gilt. Small paper-label pasted on to spine. A few wormholes to back board, leather on spine cracked, cornes bumped. A few small worm-tracts to last leaves. Last two blanks with annotations in contemporary hand. Internally generally nice and clean. (22), 104, 112, 142, 110, 84, (4) pp. (Including three blanks in the front and back).

First German translation of "Danish Law" which became a prototype and inspiration for other European codexes. The English envoy to Denmark at the time, Robert Molesworth, praises the Danish Code in his otherwise highly negative text: "An account of Denmark as it was in the year 1692". He states that in justice, brevity and clarity, the Code surpasses all other legal texts he knows of. It is so clear and simple to understand, that any literate person can understand his case and is able to represent himself in Court if he so wishes.

Thesaurus II: 431.

Order-nr.: 61164