Law, Politics and Society in Early Modern EnglandLaw, like religion, provided one of the principal discourses through which early-modern English people conceptualised the world in which they lived. Transcending traditional boundaries between social, legal and political history, this innovative and authoritative study examines the development of legal thought and practice from the later middle ages through to the outbreak of the English civil war, and explores the ways in which law mediated and constituted social and economic relationships within the household, the community, and the state at all levels. By arguing that English common law was essentially the creation of the wider community, it challenges many current assumptions and opens new perspectives about how early-modern society should be understood. Its magisterial scope and lucid exposition will make it essential reading for those interested in subjects ranging from high politics and constitutional theory to the history of the family, as well as the history of law. |
Contents
later sixteenth century | 51 |
and the ecclesiastical polity 1560 c 1610 | 93 |
and questions about royal authority | 124 |
law and political controversy in the 1620s | 162 |
Other editions - View all
Law, Politics and Society in Early Modern England C. W. Brooks,Christopher W. Brooks Limited preview - 2008 |
Common terms and phrases
actions argued arguments assize attorney authority Cambridge Chancery charge church civil claimed Coke’s common law common lawyers conflict copyhold CoRep council crown customs difficult Early Modern England early seventeenth century ecclesiastical courts Elizabeth Elizabethan Ellesmere England evidence example feudal figure find fines first Fortescue Furthermore gentry Hargrave Harleian HEHL Henry VIII High Commission House Ibid imprisoned influence inns of court involved James James Whitelocke John Selden judges juries jurisdiction jurors justice king King’s Bench Lambarde land leet liberty litigation Littleton London Magna Carta manorial courts manuscript monarch Morice oath ODNB offence office officials Oxford papers parliament parliamentary period political prerogative questions reading realm records reflected reform reign Reports royal rule Selden Ship Money significant Sir John sixteenth century social Society speech St German Star Chamber statute tenants tenure Thomas treatise Tudor Wakefield William William Fleetwood William Lambarde writs