Later medieval period

Henry II

Became King in 1154, reorganised the courts

Assize of Clarendon

1166 the courts were reorganised and set up prisons for those awaiting trial

Justices of Eyre

Job to visit each count twice a year to hear the most serious cases which increased the role of the king in legal matters meaning stronger centralised control. Standard instructions written to local sheriffs becoming uniform for all

Justices of the Peace

Initially knights in certain areas, Edward III extended Jps to all areas

Statute of Labourers

Came after the black death hit England in 1348 where a 1 third of England’s population died this new law protected ruling classes by preventing workers asking for higher wages

Heresy

laws Introduced in 1382,1401,1401 in order to protect the sacrament of bread and language of the bible. the 1401 law made the punishment be burning at the stake

Coroners

Introduced to investigate suspicious deaths

Benefit of the clergy

Psalm 51 tried in church courts abuse of it reduced its significance

Sanctuary

An accused who has run away from court could stay in church for 40 days then leave or be named an outlaw

1215 The end of trial by ordeal

All priests were ordered by the pope to stop organising TBO. Replaced by trial by jury.

A posse

Group of able bodied men sent out by a sheriff to find an outlaw/criminal