Foedera

Thomas Rymer, an English literary critic and historiographer royal, compiled a significant collection of treaties titled Foedera. This work, short for Foedera, conventiones, literae et cuiuscunque generis acta publica inter reges Angliae et alios... (Treaties, conventions, letters, and other public instruments between the kings of England and other...), began publication in 1704 and eventually comprised 15 volumes.1

The term foedus (plural: foedera) originally referred to a treaty or compact in ancient Rome, establishing permanent friendly relations between Rome and allied states (foederati). These treaties could be equal (foedus aequum), recognizing both parties as equals, or unequal (foedus iniquum), with Rome holding superiority. While Rymer's Foedera is a valuable resource for medievalists, it has been noted for its deficiencies.21