The Oxford History of the Laws of England Volume II 900-1216

by Hudson, John

• ISBN13: 9780198260301
• ISBN10: 019826030X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-05-16
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

This volume in the landmarkOxford History of the Laws of Englandseries, spans three centuries that encompassed the tumultuous years of the Norman conquest, and during which the common law as we know it today began to emerge. The first full-length treatment of all aspects of the early development of the English common law in a century, featuring extensive research into the original sources that bring the era to life, and providing an interpretative account, a detailed subject analysis, and fascinating glimpses into medieval disputes. Starting with King Alfred (871-899), this book examines the particular contributions of the Anglo-Saxon period to the development of English law, including the development of a powerful machinery of royal government, significant aspects of a long-lasting court structure, and important elements of law relating to theft and violence. Until the reign of King Stephen (1135-54), these Anglo-Saxon contributions were maintained by the Norman rulers, whilst the Conquest of 1066 led to the development of key aspects of landholding that were to have a continuing effect on the emerging common law. The Angevin period saw the establishment of more routine royal administration of justice, closer links between central government and individuals in the localities, and growing bureaucratization. Finally, the later twelfth and earlier thirteenth century saw influential changes in legal expertise. The book concludes with the rebellion against King John in 1215 and the production of the Magna Carta. Laying out in exhaustive detail the origins of the English common law through the ninth to the early thirteenth centuries, this book will be essential reading for all legal historians and a vital work of reference for academics, students, and practitioners.

Author Biography

John Hudson is Professor of Legal History and Head of the School of History at the University of St Andrews, and also Visiting Professor at the University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor. He was an undergraduate, postgraduate, and Junior Research Fellow at Worcester College, Oxford, and a Research Fellow at the Institute of Historical Research.

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Introductory
I: The History of Law and the History of Disputes
Anglo-Saxon England
II: Kings and Law
III: Courts
IV: Court Procedure
V: Land
VI: Movables
VII: Theft and Violence
VIII: Status
IX: Family and Marriage
X: Conclusion
Anglo-Norman England
XI: Kings and Law
XII: Courts
XIII: Court Procedure
XIV: Land
XV: Movables
XVI: Theft and Violence
XVII: Status
XVIII: Family and Marriage
XIX: Forest Laws from Anglo-Saxon England to the Early Thirteenth Century
XX: Conclusion
Angevin England
XXI: Kings and Law
XXII: Courts
XXIII: Court Procedure in Land Cases
XXIV: Land
XXV: Movables
XXVI: Agreements and Debt
XXVII: Theft and Violence
XXVIII: Status
XXIX: Family and Marriage
XXX: Borough Law
XXXI: Magna Carta and the Common Law
Appendix: The Sources
Bibliography
Preface and Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Introductory
I. The History of Law and the History of Disputes
Anglo-Saxon England
II. Kings and Law
III. Courts
IV. Court Procedure
V. Land
VI. Movables
VII. Theft and Violence
VIII. Status
IX. Family and Marriage
X. Conclusion
Anglo-Norman England
XI. Kings and Law
XII. Courts
XIII. Court Procedure
XIV. Land
XV. Movables
XVI. Theft and Violence
XVII. Status
XVIII. Family and Marriage
XIX. Forest Laws from Anglo-Saxon England to the Early Thirteenth Century
XX. Conclusion
Angevin England
XXI. Kings and Law
XXII. Courts
XXIII. Court Procedure in Land Cases
XXIV. Land
XXV. Movables
XXVI. Agreements and Debt
XXVII. Theft and Violence
XXVIII. Status
XXIX. Family and Marriage
XXX. Borough Law
XXXI. Magna Carta and the Common Law
Appendix: The Sources
Bibliography