Covenant remained in use for the enforcement of promises under
seal. Account gradually came under the equity jurisdiction of
Chancery. Common law writs of dower are largely superseded by the
relief given to the doweress in the courts of equity, where new
and valuable rights were given to her and to her personal
representatives against the heir and his representatives. The
actions of indebitatus assumpsit is being extended to actions upon
quasi-contract, in which the element of contract is not required
e.g. quantum meruit, where a contract is implied from the facts of
the case.
Mercantile law was developed by the common law courts, especially
the King's Bench.
The king was to appoint the marshal of the King's Bench. The
marshal was to select his inferior officers to hold office as long
as they "behave themselves well within". These offices had been
sold by James I to a certain person, his heirs, and assigns. The
marshal was to keep the prison of this court in good repair from
his fees and profits of office.
The office of sheriff was now an accessory department of the
common law courts for summons, executions, summoning the jury, and
carrying out the sentence of the law.
Summons for excise offenses may be left at a person's abode,
workhouse, or shop as well as on his person.
The coroner's office now investigated unusual deaths with a jury
from the neighborhood elected by county freeholders.
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