OCR A Level History A Y101-01 Alfred and the Making of England 871

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King Alfred used to sit at judicial hearings for the benefit of both his nobles and the common people, since they frequently disagreed violently among themselves at assemblies of ealdormen or reeves.... It came to the point where none of them could agree that a judgement reached by the ealdormen or reeves about a question was right and just. In the face of such disagreement, the separate parties could undertake to submit to the king’s judgement, a procedure which both parties hastened to implement. If anyone considered that some injustice, as he saw it, might arise and he would not willingly submit to the decision of the king, he would be forced to come to court, even against his will. Asser, Life of King Alfred, 893 Source B: King Alfred gives guidance to his judges. Judge very fairly. Do not give one judgement for the rich and one for the poor, nor one for those you love and another for those you loathe. Never take bribes. They blind the thoughts even of wise men. From one law a judge can be mindful of how he should judge everyone. Nor does he need any other law book. Let him simply remember that he should judge no man as he would not himself be judged. Introduction to King Alfred’s Law Code, drawn up by 895 Source C: King Alfred tries to improve the quality of his judges. King Alfred discreetly and gently reproved the judges for inexperience and ignorance in such words as these: ‘I marvel much at your presumption in that having, by God’s favour and my own, taken upon you an office and station belonging to wise men, you have neglected the study and practice of wisdom. Either therefore, at once give up the authority now vested in you, or apply yourself to the study of wisdom much more earnestly than you have hitherto done. Such are my commands.’ Filled with consternation at such language, the ealdormen would strive to devote all their power to the study of justice, just as if they had been most severely punished. Thus, almost all the ealdormen and judges, however illiterate from their youth upwards, applied themselves surprisingly, rather than resign their offices. Chronicle of Florence of Worcester, written before 1118 [Show More]

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