The Times section sets a background and context in which to better
understand the law of that period. The usual subject matter of
history such as battles, wars, royal intrigues, periods of
corruption, and international relations are omitted as not helping
to understand the process of civilization and development of the
law. Standard practices are described, but there are often
variations with locality. Also, change did not come abruptly, but
with vacillations, e.g. the change from pagan to Christian belief
and the change to allowance of loans for interest. The scientific
revolution was accepted only slowly. There were often many
attempts made for change before it actually occurred, e.g. gaining
Parliamentary power over the king's privileges, such as taxation.
The Law section describes the law governing the behavior and
conduct of the populace. It includes law of that time which is the
same, similar, or a building block to the law of today. In earlier
times this is both statutory law and the common law of the courts.
The Magna Carta, which is quoted in Chapter 7, is the first
statute of England and is listed first in the "Statutes of the
Realm" and the "Statutes at Large". The law sections of Chapters 7
- 18 mainly quote or paraphrase most of these statutes. Excluded
are statutes which do not help us understand the development of
our law, such as statutes governing Wales after its conquest and
statutes on succession rights to the throne.
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