jan 1, 1154 - Henry II (Start of Common law)

Description:

- Came into power at the age of 21, during a period of anarchy (19-year winter), following the usurpation of the throne by Steven.
- The law and order were in total collapse.
- In order to sort out the situation he resorted to the law.
- He realized that it wasn't sufficient to issue laws. The trick was to ensure that they were common, consistent, and effective.
1) In 1166 he implemented a system of roving Royal Justices, whose role was to make sure that the Shire Courts were enforcing the law and were collecting all the fines due to the king.
2) He decreed a single set of legal procedures that were to be followed throughout England. Such standardization was unprecedented in Europe.
3) From then on, the members of society would play a central role in the administration of Justice. This was called the Juries of presentment (this is not to be confused with the Jury).
- He is deemed by many historians to be the FATHER OF THE ENGLISH COMMON LAW

JURIES OF PRESENTMENT
A presentment is a formal presentation of a matter such as a complaint, indictment or bill of exchange. In early-medieval England, juries of presentment would hear inquests in order to establish whether someone should be presented for a crime.[1]
They would not hear cases, determine guilt or innocence.
They would have to swear under oath all the cases that happened in the area. So, incleasingly the sheriffs were sidelined and the juries were required to present their reports to the Justices themselves.

Added to timeline:

Date: