A History of European Law

This book explores the development of law in Europe from its medieval origins to the present day, charting the transformation from law rooted in the Church and local community towards a recognition of the centralised, secular authority of the state. Shows how these changes reflect the wider political, economic, and cultural developments within European history Demonstrates the diversity of traditions between European states and the possibilities and limitations in the search for common European values and goals

Preface x Preliminaries xii 1 Medieval Roots 1 I. A Legal Society Under Construction: The Workshop of Legal Practice 1 II. Medieval Maturity: The Laboratory of Learning 19 2 The Foundations of the Modern Legal System 39 3 Journeys in Contemporary Law 138 Further Reading 163 Notes 169 Bibliography 178 Index 190