Statutes of king william the conqueror

The statutes date from 1066. At that time, William, Duke of Normandy, defeated the English King Harold at the Battle of Hastings, crowned on Christmas day in Westminster Abbey, beginning one of the most famous traditions of queens and kings of England. As a result, the small island became part of the European continent.
The British people, who had been isolated for a long time, started to gainnew ideas from Europe which changed religion, war, costumes and started to think themselves as Englishmen, but although the Norman conquest brought changes at the top of hierarchy, the majority of the population were still submerged in agriculture. England experienced grow in the period 800-1300, as an example, London, the largest city had over 15,000 inhabitants. At this time, the main economicactivity was the agriculture and new techniques were introduced in fields. Communications also increased and pilgrimages were encouraged specially to Rome or Santiago de Compostela. Nevertheless, urban life was insignificance and people used to spend the time in farm works. Christian faith and misery were common between the peasants.
About the author, is the king who signed the statute, also calledWilliam the Bastard, Duke of Normandy, who obtained the throne by force and defended it by force. He married Matilda, the Count of Flanders’ daughter, obtaining more authority with the marriage. He was an enthusiastic of the monasteries and churches and he also practiced a strict piety, although he’s very well known for his moroseness too. The addressees of the mentioned statutes were the Englishpopulation in compliance with them.
The king referred to religion, more exactly, the Christians. He wanted a kingdom linked with the faith of Christ, as well as peace and security between English and Normans. He also decreed that every man shall be faithful to the king and swear their loyalty to him, as well as defend him against all his enemies and detractors and to preserve his honor.
Theking wanted that every Frenchman o Normand he brought to England were in peace and harmony with the kingdom and crown. He clarifies that if someone should be slain, the lord of the assassin will pay the king forty six marks of silver until his possessions run out.
The men who in time of king Edward “was sharer of the English customs in England, must pay as the English law affirm”, what they calledonhlote and anscote .The king also emphasis that the mentioned statutes were assured in the city of Gloucester, city which together with Winchester, were the new centers of power of the time.
The king forbids the sale of cattle except in the cities. This sale should be realized with the presence of three attesters and it should have a warranty and surety to realize the mentioned sale. If they notcomplied with the law they had to pay to the king a forfeit.
The statutes additionally declares that if a Frenchman assemble an Englishman for any felony as rape, murder, theft, homicide or any crime, the Englishman must defend himself through ordeal of iron or wager of battle, which he would prefers. If the man is ill and is unable to go, he must find another man who will do it for him. As aresult, the vanquished man will pay forty shillings to the king. But on the contrary, if an Englishman summon a Frenchman for the crimes before mentioned, and the Englishman can’t prove it by judgment, the Frenchman only will have to purge himself by oath.
The King William decreed that, following the law of King Edward, all the possessions and lands which he made, will be added for the benefit ofthe English population.
If a man makes offend in any way, he must have a surety which holds him in case of necessity. If one of them runs away, his insurers must pay without any arduousness.
People who have the right to come are summoned once, and if the second call, don’t appear, will be stripped of an ox and they will be summoned another third time. If they do not come, another ox will be...