Justice and Mercy: Moral Theology and the Exercise of Law in Twelfth-Century England

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Justice and Mercy: Moral Theology and the Exercise of Law in Twelfth-Century England
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Philippa Byrne
SeriesArtes Liberales
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:304
Dimensions(mm): Height 216,Width 138
Category/GenreHistory of religion
ISBN/Barcode 9781526155900
ClassificationsDewey:347.42009021
Audience
General
Tertiary Education (US: College)
Professional & Vocational
Illustrations 3 charts

Publishing Details

Publisher Manchester University Press
Imprint Manchester University Press
Publication Date 1 June 2021
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

This book examines one of the most fundamental issues in twelfth-century English politics: justice. It demonstrates that during the foundational period for the common law, the question of judgement and judicial ethics was a topic of heated debate - a common problem with multiple different answers. How to be a judge, and how to judge well, was a concern shared by humble and high, keeping both kings and parish priests awake at night. Using theological texts, sermons, legal treatises and letter collections, the book explores how moralists attempted to provide guidance for uncertain judges. It argues that mercy was always the most difficult challenge for a judge, fitting uncomfortably within the law and of disputed value. Shining a new light on English legal history, Justice and mercy reveals the moral dilemmas created by the establishment of the common law. -- .

Author Biography

Philippa Byrne is British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Oxford -- .

Reviews

'Justice and Mercy is a remarkable book...the book resounds with the historiographic traditions and conflicts among the different schools of legal history and of intellectual history, both in Britain and on the continent. While the author is obviously well aware of them, she manages to avoid the pitfalls of adding to these ongoing conflicts.' Esther Cohen, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Medieval Review -- .