The king was originally responsible for law and justice but delegated local administration to those living near crimes. After the Norman Conquest, nobles administered justice by blending Norman and Saxon laws, with freedom to rule their lands. Serious crimes went to the King's courts. Henry I deemed all crimes a breaking of the king's peace, tried uniformly by traveling judges handling crimes and property disputes. These early judges lacked formal training but relied on common sense. By the late 12th century, judges had real legal knowledge and common law was established nationwide, administered by juries guided by lawyers who replaced trials by battle or ordeal.

1. LAW AND JUSTICE

2. The king responsible law
justice
had to leave administration important matters someone who lived close to
the place where a crime was
committed
Saxon times every district own laws and costums
justice family matterAfter Norman
Conquest
Nobles administered justice
Mixed Norman laws with old Saxon laws
freedom to act more or less as they liked
Serious offences tried in the King’s courts

3. Henry I all crimes a breaking of the king’s peace
tried and punished
same justice everywhere
appointed judges travalled from place to place
administering justice
dealt both with crimes and disagreements
over property

4. judges no knowledge or training
Trusted to use common sense
nobles or bishops followed the orders of the king
By the end of the
twelfth century judges real knowledge and experience of
law
law administered COMMON LAW
used everywhere

5. punishment
Anglo-Saxon times guilty or innocent tested
in battle by ordeal

6. England Trial by ordeal Trial by jury
accused man twelve neighbours would help him prove that he
was not guilty
jury judged the evidences of others
Needed guidance lawyers
replaced