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Welcome to All of History! The administration of justice in late Anglo-Saxon England was intricately woven into the fabric of society. Its foundation rested upon the shire court, a biannual assembly presided over by the ealdorman and bishop. This court served as the primary forum for legal matters within the shire, with the sheriff assuming direct responsibility for maintaining law and order. The sheriff, acting as the king's representative, oversaw the operation of local hundred courts, which convened every four weeks, and held jurisdiction over minor offenses. In addition to these formal judicial bodies, manor courts possessed delegated authority to handle even less serious transgressions, ensuring a comprehensive system of justice that reached every corner of society. The medieval period witnessed a gradual formalization of justice, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities for handling different levels of crime. The royal courts, with their judges appointed by the Crown, acquir
