Law Codes

Overview

Scroll down to view various Anglo-Saxon law codes

The Anglo-Saxon law codes were a set of legal codes that were established in England during the Anglo-Saxon period, which lasted from the 5th century to the 11th century. These codes were based on a combination of Germanic tribal laws, Roman law, and Christian principles, and were enforced by local rulers and their officials. The earliest known Anglo-Saxon law code is the Laws of Aethelberht, which were issued by King Aethelberht of Kent in the early 7th century. Other important Anglo-Saxon law codes include the Laws of Ine, the Laws of Alfred the Great, and the Laws of Cnut. These codes covered a wide range of topics, including property rights, marriage and divorce, and the treatment of slaves. They also continued the concept of wergild, or “man-price”, which established a monetary value for different types of offenses and allowed for compensation to be paid to victims. The Anglo-Saxon law codes were significant because they established a legal framework for Anglo-Saxon society and influenced the development of English law in the centuries that followed.