Manchester University Press
I Concepts of law and justice
-
Anthony Musson
Abstract
This chapter is comprised of annotated and translated source texts on the concepts of law and justice. In the later Middle Ages a broad intellectual background for concepts of law and justice existed based on a composite of the Bible and the tenets of Christianity, the corpus of Roman law and canon law, and the writings of Aristotle and St Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas was especially influential on medieval political thought, reconciling the teachings of Christ with Aristotelian logic to achieve a distinctive philosophy of law and the state. The emergence of parliament as a political institution is a phenomenon that is inextricably linked with the development of concepts of law, justice and kingship. The relationship of the king to the law and the obligations of kingship were crucial themes addressed by jurists and political commentators. The revival of interest in Roman civil law at the beginning of the twelfth century infused jurisprudential writing with ideas of strong centralist government under a divine emperor.
Abstract
This chapter is comprised of annotated and translated source texts on the concepts of law and justice. In the later Middle Ages a broad intellectual background for concepts of law and justice existed based on a composite of the Bible and the tenets of Christianity, the corpus of Roman law and canon law, and the writings of Aristotle and St Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas was especially influential on medieval political thought, reconciling the teachings of Christ with Aristotelian logic to achieve a distinctive philosophy of law and the state. The emergence of parliament as a political institution is a phenomenon that is inextricably linked with the development of concepts of law, justice and kingship. The relationship of the king to the law and the obligations of kingship were crucial themes addressed by jurists and political commentators. The revival of interest in Roman civil law at the beginning of the twelfth century infused jurisprudential writing with ideas of strong centralist government under a divine emperor.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- Preface xiii
- Abbreviations xv
- Glossary xix
- Introduction 1
- I Concepts of law and justice 12
- II ‘Popular’ concepts of law and justice 39
- III Crime and disorder 67
- IV The development of criminal justice 105
- V The courts in operation 137
- VI Arbitration 187
- VII The personnel of justice 211
- VIII Corruption and abuse 246
- Index 273
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- Preface xiii
- Abbreviations xv
- Glossary xix
- Introduction 1
- I Concepts of law and justice 12
- II ‘Popular’ concepts of law and justice 39
- III Crime and disorder 67
- IV The development of criminal justice 105
- V The courts in operation 137
- VI Arbitration 187
- VII The personnel of justice 211
- VIII Corruption and abuse 246
- Index 273
