Derbyshire Feet of Fines, 1323-1546:

the long version

"Fines were documents drawn up in the Court of Common Pleas at the conclusion of a fictitious law-suit whose real purpose was to effect the conveyance of property... Copies were given to the buyer and seller, while a triplicate copy (the 'foot') stayed in the hands of the court and is thus now in the Public Record Office in London... Many recite a good deal of direct genealogical detail concerning wives, children and grandchildren; all mention several individuals by name. This publication contains full summaries in English of all 675 Derbyshire fines from 1323 to the end of the reign of Henry VIII, and is fully indexed by person and place..." --Dust jacket.