Books of this type are not, of course, literature; but for the historian or the antiquary they are sheet delight.
The Origins of Lincoln's Inn
It is the good fortune of Lincoln's Inn to posses Black Books which contain the unbroken record of the Society's Council meetings and business affairs since December, 1422. The earliest of Books are now in fact bound in brown leather with narrow red labels. Otherwise the term is appropriate.The first volume bears the heading Liber Hospicii de Lincolsin, and begins. with the names of those members of the Inn who were ordered to spend the next Christmas vacation at the Inn under penalty of fines which ranged upwards from 40d. From that day to this the Back Books have been in essence minute books of official meetings.