A RARE 17th-century book of advice to landowners – including how to punish their workers – is to go under the hammer this month at a Derby auction.

The Court Keepers Guide for the Keeping of Courts Leet and Courts Baron, written by William Sheppard in 1685, even reminds landowners of possible fines "for not punishing rogues".

The book, which dates back to the reign of Charles II, is due to fetch at least £200 at auction later this month.

It was found by auctioneer Charles Hanson, of Hansons Auctioneers, at one of the company's valuation days and will be auctioned off at the Mackworth Hotel, in Ashbourne Road, on March 18.

The book advises "all the Lords of Manors" that those who burn houses or stacks of corn, people who take doves from dove houses and those who steal tame deer are all "enemies to the king" and guilty of treason.

Mr Hanson said: "Having survived for almost 330 years, the book provides an insight into the laws of the land in Britain and acts as a guide for the land owning nobles of the day."