This Is A Legal-historical Text On The Changes In The Concept Of Freedom Of Contract By English Professor Patrick Atiyah. The Central Theme Is That The Notion Of A Contract Based On Consent (or A 'meeting Of Minds') Was Almost Entirely Absent Before 1800 In The Law. Instead It Was Based On Reliance Or The Receipt Of A Benefit. P.s. Atiyah. Bibliographic Level Mode Of Issuance: Monograph Includes Bibliographical References And Index. English