Under the old method of transfer of land by feoffment3 no writing, of course, was, or could be, required. Under the new system of deeds which grew out of the Statute of Uses, written deeds became necessary. The Statute of Frauds (enacted half a century after the time of Coke) expressly required deeds of land to be in writing.

The requirement that the deed must be written upon either paper or parchment has been somewhat modified. It is now sufficient if the deed be written upon either of these materials or upon any other material equally or more durable.