Most men wore a knife because of the prevalence of murder and
robbery. It was an every day event for a murderer to flee to
sanctuary in a church, which would then be surrounded by his
pursuers while the coroner was summoned. Usually, the fugitive
would confess, pay compensation, and agree to leave the nation
permanently.
It had been long customary for the groom to endow his bride in
public at the church door. This was to keep her and her children
if he died first. If dower was not specified, it was understood to
be one-third of all lands and tenements. From 1246, priests taught
that betrothal and consummation constituted irrevocable marriage.
County courts were the center of decision-making regarding
judicial, fiscal, military, and general administrative matters.
The writs for the conservation of the peace, directing the taking
of the oath, the pursuit of malefactors, and the observance of
watch and ward, were proclaimed in full county court; attachments
were made in obedience to them in the county court. The county
offices were: sheriff, coroner, escheator, and constable or
bailiff. There were 28 sheriffs for 38 counties. The sheriff was
usually a substantial landholder and a knight who had been
prominent in the local court. He usually had a castle in which he
kept persons he arrested. He no longer bought his office and
collected certain rents for himself, but was a salaried political
appointee of the King.
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