Doing History in Public

Tag: legal history

  • Did Edward III Obey His Own Rules on Parties?

    Did Edward III Obey His Own Rules on Parties?

    By Jerome Gasson In 1336, King Edward III and a group of magnates passed a law ordaining that: ‘No one, whatever estate or condition he happens to be in, shall cause himself to be served in his house or elsewhere, at dinner, meal, or supper, or at any other time, with more than two courses,…

  • 4. A Courtroom for an Ecclesiastical Court

    4. A Courtroom for an Ecclesiastical Court

    By Zoë Jackson (@ZoeMJackson1) Tucked away in the southwest corner of Chester Cathedral lies a small, unassuming room, often devoid of the crowds that the rest of the cathedral attracts. Apart from being an interesting addition to any visit to the Cathedral, this room bears another significant distinction: It is one of the only courtrooms…

  • 5. Medieval Murder Maps

    5. Medieval Murder Maps

    By Stephanie Brown (@StephEmmaBrown) Upon finding a dead body in medieval England, you were required to raise the alarm to alert bystanders and the authorities. Once the coroner had been notified of a violent death, they summoned an investigative jury from the village or parish where the person had died and from the three neighbouring…