Assize of Northampton: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Law of English land ownership in 1176}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} |
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{{Use British English|date=January 2019}} |
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The assize is believed to have been passed at a council held in [[Northampton]] in January [[1176]]. The assize contained severe penalties for various offences and gave the justices substantial powers at the expense of the [[sheriff]]s. The assize is connected with the reorganization of itinerant justices and contains instructions for six groups of justices appointed to tour the country. Later clauses deal with the introduction of important new legislation, chiefly the king's right to have certain cases brought into his court. |
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The assize is believed to have been passed at a council held in [[Northampton]] in January 1176. |
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The assize was a strong response to a ''crime-wave'' then being experienced and gave additional powers to the authorities by creating new offences that a judge could examine, including: |
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*Arson & |
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*Forgery |
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and set down new and severe punishments that could be handed down, including the removal of an offender's right hand. |
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==Clarendon extended== |
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The assize confirmed the offences to be brought forward by the [[jury of presentment]] according to Clarendon, and added arson and forgery to the list.<ref>G. O. Sayles, ''The Medieval Foundations of England'' (London 1967) p. 336</ref> It also set down new and severe punishments that could be handed down, including the removal of an offender's right hand. |
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==Aftermath of revolt== |
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Following as it did the [[Revolt of 1173–74]], the Assizes included a wide-ranging oath of fealty (Item 6), as well as items concerning castles (8 and 11), insisting especially that "the justices see to it that the castles which have been destroyed are utterly demolished."<ref>Quoted in D. Baker ed., ''The Early Middle Ages'' (London 1966) p. 151</ref> |
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==Administrative reforms== |
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The assize is connected with the reorganisation of itinerant justices and contains instructions for six groups of justices appointed to tour the country. Bailiffs and [[sheriff]]s were made answerable for their profits, as well as given powers to hold thieves.<ref>D. Baker ed., ''The Early Middle Ages'' (London 1966) p. 151-2</ref> Clause 7 dealt with the introduction of important new legislation, chiefly the king's right to have certain cases brought into his court. |
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| ⚫ | The Assize of Northampton is also the first official document to contain information on the question of seisin and disseisin, anticipating the later possessory assizes of ''[[mort d'ancestor]]'' and ''[[novel disseisin]]''.<ref>J. R. Tanner ed., ''The Cambridge Medieval History'' (1926) p. 586</ref> |
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==Revenue== |
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Crown revenue increased significantly following the Assize, reflecting the impact of the judicial eyres.<ref>H. G. Richrdson, ''The English Jewry under the Angevin Kings'' (London 1960) p. 64</ref> As [[G. M. Trevelyan]] put it, "The Justices were quite as busy collecting the King's revenues as enforcing the [[Peace (law)|King's peace]]. They were two sides of the same operation."<ref>G. M. Trevelyan, ''History of England'' (London 1926) p. 161</ref> |
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==See also== |
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*[[Assize of darrein presentment]] |
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*[[Inquest of Sheriffs]] |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist|2|}} |
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Latest revision as of 17:13, 10 May 2024
The Assize of Northampton, largely based on the Assize of Clarendon of 1166, is among a series of measures taken by King Henry II of England that solidified the rights of the knightly tenants and made all possession of land subject to and guaranteed by royal law.
The assize is believed to have been passed at a council held in Northampton in January 1176.
Clarendon extended
[edit]The assize confirmed the offences to be brought forward by the jury of presentment according to Clarendon, and added arson and forgery to the list.[1] It also set down new and severe punishments that could be handed down, including the removal of an offender's right hand.
Aftermath of revolt
[edit]Following as it did the Revolt of 1173–74, the Assizes included a wide-ranging oath of fealty (Item 6), as well as items concerning castles (8 and 11), insisting especially that "the justices see to it that the castles which have been destroyed are utterly demolished."[2]
Administrative reforms
[edit]The assize is connected with the reorganisation of itinerant justices and contains instructions for six groups of justices appointed to tour the country. Bailiffs and sheriffs were made answerable for their profits, as well as given powers to hold thieves.[3] Clause 7 dealt with the introduction of important new legislation, chiefly the king's right to have certain cases brought into his court.
The Assize of Northampton is also the first official document to contain information on the question of seisin and disseisin, anticipating the later possessory assizes of mort d'ancestor and novel disseisin.[4]
Revenue
[edit]Crown revenue increased significantly following the Assize, reflecting the impact of the judicial eyres.[5] As G. M. Trevelyan put it, "The Justices were quite as busy collecting the King's revenues as enforcing the King's peace. They were two sides of the same operation."[6]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ G. O. Sayles, The Medieval Foundations of England (London 1967) p. 336
- ^ Quoted in D. Baker ed., The Early Middle Ages (London 1966) p. 151
- ^ D. Baker ed., The Early Middle Ages (London 1966) p. 151-2
- ^ J. R. Tanner ed., The Cambridge Medieval History (1926) p. 586
- ^ H. G. Richrdson, The English Jewry under the Angevin Kings (London 1960) p. 64
- ^ G. M. Trevelyan, History of England (London 1926) p. 161