The Waning of Revenge & the Rise of Courts

The increase in commercial activity in England brings potential conflict. The dooms of the 9th, 10th, and 11th centuries deal with disputes between merchants and subjects of the king, as well as personal matters. They restrict trade to specific ports and mandate that transactions be witnessed. More and more, criminal charges must be brought before officials of the king or to the courts instead of resolved through vengeance.

The English Parliament
The English Parliament
Meets before Edward Anonymous,
c. 1327