Chapters in this book

1. Front matter i
2. Contents v
3. List of tables vi
4. Acknowledgements vii
5. Introduction 1
6. Part I: The courts and the law
7. 1 The varieties of Anglo-American law 21
8. 2 Women as plaintiffs and defendants 39
9. Part II: The family and society
10. 3 Masters and mistresses, servants and slaves 59
11. 4 Wives and (unwed) mothers 81
12. 5 Inheritance and family feuds 105
13. Part III: The economy and equity
14. 6 Economic expansion and the erosion of patriarchy 133
15. Bibliography 159
16. Index 171