Book contents
- Geoffrey Chaucer in Context
- Geoffrey Chaucer in Context
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Illustrations
- Contributors
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- Part I Chaucer as Context
- Part II Books, Discourse and Traditions
- Part III Humans, the World and Beyond
- Part IV Culture, Learning and Disciplines
- Chapter 26 Childhood and Education
- Chapter 27 Philosophy
- Chapter 28 The Medieval Universe
- Chapter 29 Medicine and the Mortal Body
- Chapter 30 The Law
- Chapter 31 Art
- Chapter 32 Architecture
- Chapter 33 Heraldry, Heralds and Chaucer
- Part V Political and Social Contexts
- Part VI Chaucer Traditions
- Further Reading
- Index
Chapter 30 - The Law
from Part IV - Culture, Learning and Disciplines
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 June 2019
- Geoffrey Chaucer in Context
- Geoffrey Chaucer in Context
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Illustrations
- Contributors
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- Part I Chaucer as Context
- Part II Books, Discourse and Traditions
- Part III Humans, the World and Beyond
- Part IV Culture, Learning and Disciplines
- Chapter 26 Childhood and Education
- Chapter 27 Philosophy
- Chapter 28 The Medieval Universe
- Chapter 29 Medicine and the Mortal Body
- Chapter 30 The Law
- Chapter 31 Art
- Chapter 32 Architecture
- Chapter 33 Heraldry, Heralds and Chaucer
- Part V Political and Social Contexts
- Part VI Chaucer Traditions
- Further Reading
- Index
Summary
This chapter examines the place of law in the England of Chaucer’s day in both the formal legal system and in popular consciousness. It considers the relation of English common law both to the overarching law of God and to other institutional legal structures, not least the canon law of the church, as well as to more informal procedures. Intrinsic contradictions in the nature of legal norms, including the tension between the needs for general certainty and individual justice, provide much scope for writers of stories. Difficulties of proof and the role of the oath are outlined and an analysis is offered of the extent to which a knowledge of the law and legal system of Chaucer’s time can add to the appreciation and understanding of his work.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Geoffrey Chaucer in Context , pp. 259 - 265Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2019