Henry brought sheriffs under his strict
control, free from influence by the barons. He maintained order
with a strong hand, but was no more severe than his security
demanded.
Forests were still retained by Kings for their hunting of boars
and stags. A master-forester maintained them. The boundaries of
the Royal Forests were enlarged. They comprised almost one-third
of the kingdom. Certain inhabitants thereof supplied the royal
foresters with meat and drink and received certain easements and
rights of common therein. The forest law reached the extreme of
severity and cruelty under Henry I. Punishments given included
blinding, emasculation, and execution. Offenders were rarely
allowed to substitute a money payment. When fines were imposed
they were heavy.
A substantial number of barons and monasteries were heavily in
debt to the Jews. The interest rate was 43% (2d. per pound per
week). The king taxed the Jews at will.
- The Law -
Henry restored the death penalty (by hanging) for theft and
robbery, but maintained William I's punishment of mutilation by
blinding and severing of limbs for other offenses, for example,
bad money. He decreed in 1108 that false and bad money should be
amended, so that he who was caught passing bad denarii should not
escape by redeeming himself but should lose his eyes and members.
And since denarii were often picked out, bent, broken, and
refused, he decreed that no denarius or obol, which he said were
to be round, or even a quadrans, if it were whole, should be
refused.
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