How Did Henry Bracton's Writing Reflect the Status of Kingship and barons’ Power in Medieval England?

Abstract

Status and change of kingship and barons’ power in medieval England have a significant effect in the development of western society, politics, and justice. Thus, opinions and records form jurists in medieval England partially reflected the change in nature of justice and society, which led absolute monarchy to become constitutional monarchy. On the basis of previous studies, this paper specifically focus on writings of Henry de Bracton, an English jurist, aiming to provide further distinctive opinions by analyzing his writings. The content of this paper is divided into three parts altogether: The first part is chapter one, introducing Henry de Bracton, his works, and their value for understanding nature of justice and society status in medieval England. The second part is from chapter two to chapter five, analyzing status of kingship and barons’ power reflected in De Legibus et Consuetudinibus Angliae, Magna Carta, and Bracton’s notebook, detailly interpreting the legal articles and practical law cases in medieval England. The third part is chapter six, concluding the whole paper and summing up main arguments.