Kings, Barons and Justices

Dr Paul Brand is Senior Research Fellow, All Souls College, Oxford.

'Paul Brand is rightly considered to be among the foremost scholars of medieval English legal history working today, and this book demonstrates why … Brand provides a meticulous and perceptive analysis of the workings of royal justice, drawing on an impressive array of published and unpublished materials … This book is not for the general reader, but anyone who seeks a better understanding of how law, legislation and juridical administration work in practice will find this a well-written, perceptive, intelligent and frequently stimulating piece of research, with important new insights, and with a focus that seeks to encompass a wide range of social, political and legal issues.' Björn Weiler, University of Wales, Aberystwyth

• Introduction; Part I. Politics and the Legislative Reform of the Common Law: 1. The making of the Provisions of Westminster: the process of drafting and their political context; 2. The making of the Provisions of Westminster: the social and legal context and the evolution of the individual clauses (i); 3. The making of the Provisions of Westminster: the social and legal context and the evolution of the individual clauses (ii); 4. Enforcement of the Provisions of Westminster during the initial stages of their existence, 1259–63; 5. The revision and reissuing of the Provisions, 1263–4; 6. The revised Provisions in action, 1263–7; 7. The final revision and reissue of the Provisions of Westminster: the Statute of Marlborough of 1267; Part II. Beyond Politics: The Enforcement and Interpretation of the Statute of Marlborough in the Courts, 1267–1307: 8. Contra formam feoffamenti: the statutory action for tenants contesting liability to suit of court after 1267; 9. Other mechanisms for the enforcement of chapter nine; other reforms affecting the lord-tenant relationship; 10. Reforms in the criminal justice system; 11. Reforms in the procedures of the Royal Courts; 12. The extension of existing remedies; 13. Enforcing the accountability of socage guardians; 14. Controlling the use of distraint; 15. Remedying abuses in the operation of local courts; 16. Conclusions; Appendices; Bibliography; Index.