Medieval Ages

Medieval Ages in United Kingdom

Medieval Period

For information about this topic, please read the entry, in this legal Encyclopedia, about: Medieval Period

Medieval Ages and Medieval Law

Medieval Ages and Legal History

Legal Materials

(Compiled by the University of South Caroline Gould School of Law) Douglas, David C., Dorothy Whitelock, George W. Greenaway, Harry Rothwell, A. R. Myers, and C. H. Williams, eds. English Historical Documents 10 Vols. in 11. New York: Oxford University Press, 1953-1977.

Abstract: Reprinted by Routledge, 1996. This major series contains a wide selection of the fundamental sources of English history. The first five volumes cover the medieval period:

Vol. 1, ca. 500-1042, edited by Dorothy Whitelock, contains a compilation of Anglo-Saxon? Laws from the laws of Ethelbert, King of Kent (602-603?) to the law of the Northumbrian Priests (c. 1020-1023) in English translation.

Vol. 2, 1042-1189, edited by by David C. Douglas and George W. Greenaway

Vol. 3, 1189-1327, edited by Harry Rothwell

Vol. 4, 1327-1485, edited by A.R. Myers

Vol. 5, 1485-1558, edited by C.H. Williams

Evans, Michael, and R. Ian Jack, eds. Sources of English Legal and Constitutional History. Sydney: Butterworths, 1984.

Abstract: A collection of primary materials in English legal history intended for student use. Includes key sources arranged under twenty topics: Anglo-Saxon? to Anglo-Norman? England; reforms under Henry II; Early Institutions of the Common Law; Magna Carta; Feudal Tenures and the Real Actions; Personal Actions and the Legislation of Edward I; Early Parliaments; The Year Books; Medieval Chancery; Criminal Law and Justice; Uses and the Origins of Trusts; Chancery under the Tudors and Stuarts; The Tudor Constitution; The Conciliar Courts; Later Developments in the Common Law, 1348-1800; Crown and Parliament, 1603-1640; Civil War and Interregnum; Restoration and Revolution Settlement; The Emergence of the Modern Constitution, 1614-1928;

The Superior Courts of Common Law and Equity, 1800-1875. All documents are translated into English.

Fifoot, Cecil H. S., ed. History and Sources of the Common Law: Tort and Contract. London : Stevens, 1949.

Abstract: A selection from printed sources of the common law including Glanvill and Bracton , with special emphasis on the year books as they have been published in the Rolls Series, in the volumes of the Selden Society and of the Ames Foundation. Intended to show students the development of two branches of the common law (tort and contract) from their sources, each subject is introduced with a narrative.

Great Britain. Public Record Office. Rerum Britannicarum Medii Aevi Scriptores//Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland During the Middle Ages//Rolls Series. v. London: Longman, Brown, Green, Longmans and Roberts, 1858-1911.

Abstract: This series of chronicles and memorials was published under the direction of the Master of the Rolls. It consists of 99 numbered publications in 251 volumes and covers the principal medieval sources of history, and is not restricted to legal documents. A number of the included works contain both texts and translations. The material includes calendars of state papers such as the Calendars of Chancery Rolls which contain records, such as the Close Rolls, Fine Rolls, Liberate Rolls, Patent Rolls, Scutage Rolls and others. A. J. Horwood was commissioned before 1863 by the Master of Rolls to edit the unpublished year books of Edward I and the 10-16 of Edward III. His work was taken up by Pike who developed the technique of supplementing and illustrating the reports in the year bookssby the corresponding record in the Plea Roll. These year books are published as part of this official publication, which is commonly referred to as the Rolls Series. The full English title is Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland during the Middle Ages.

Hart, William H., Ponsonby A. Lyons, and Richard E. G. Kirk, eds. Cartularium Monasterii De Rameseia. 3 Vols. Rerum Britannicarum Medii Aevi Scriptores (Rolls Series), 79. London: Longman, 1884-1893.

Abstract: Text in Latin. Contains charters, inquisitions, manorial extants, final accords, pleas in royal courts etc., AD 974-1436.

Henderson, Ernest F., ed. Select Historical Documents of the Middle Ages. London: George Bell, 1896.

Abstract: Book I of this volume contains translations of some of the major documents from England, including the laws of William the Conqueror, Constitutions of Clarendon (AD 1164), Assize of Clarendon (AD 1166), Laws of Richard (Coeur de Lion) concerning the punishment of criminal crusaders (AD 1189), Magna Carta (AD 1215), Statute of Mortmain (AD 1279), Statute Quia Emptores (AD 1290), Statute of Labourers (AD 1349)

Hunnisett, R. F., J. B. Post, and Cecil A. F. Meekings, eds. Medieval Legal Records: Edited in Memory of C. A. F. Meekings. London: His/Her Majesty’s Stationery Office (now part of the Office of Public Sector Information), 1978.

Abstract: A collection of short legal records from the early thirteenth century to the late fifteenth century, most found in the PRO. Introductions and commentaries in English; texts in Latin and Middle English. Topics edited by various legal scholars include: Reports, writs and records in the common bench in the reign of Richard II, by L. C. Hector; The Chancery corpus cum causa file, 10-11 Edward IV, by Patricia M. Barnes; Clergy and common law in the reign of Henry IV, by Robin L. Storey; A coroner’s roll of the liberty of Wye, 1299-1314, by R. F. Hunnisett; Three courts of the hundred of Penwith, 1333, by G. D. G. Hall; Early trailbaston proceedings from the Lincoln roll of 1305, by Alan Harding. Extensive indexes.

Institute of Historical Research. The National Centre for History. The Victoria History of the Counties of England. London: Oxford University Press, 1900-.

Notes: Also available online at https://www.british-history.ac.uk/Abstract: A unique, comprehensive, and authoritative work of English local history, the multiple volumes in this ongoing project contain valuable information on county primary sources. As of 2006, about 230 volumes have been published. Some county sets are complete and work is currently progressing on 13 counties. Volumes are being digitized and made available on Britsh History Online. More information is available on the Victoria County History’s main website

Bibliographies of English Law History

  • Maxwell, William H. A Legal Bibliography of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Volume 1: English Law to 1800. London: Sweet and Maxwell, 1955-
  • Beale, Joseph H. A Bibliography of Early English Law Books. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1926.
  • Winfield, Percy H. The Chief Sources of English Legal History. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1925.

Resources

See Also

  • Ecclesiastical Courts (in this legal Encyclopedia)
  • Adultery (in this legal Encyclopedia)
  • Imprisonment (in this legal Encyclopedia)
  • Uses (in this legal Encyclopedia)
  • Concilliar Courts (in this legal Encyclopedia)

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *