Statute of Westminster 1275 facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | None |
|---|---|
| Citation | 3 Edw. 1. cc 1–51 |
| Territorial extent | England, later extended to Wales, Scotland, Ireland and British colonies |
| Dates | |
| Made | April or May 1275 |
| Royal assent | April or May 1275 |
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Status: Partially repealed
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| Text of the Statute of Westminster, The First (1275) as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk | |
The Statute of Westminster of 1275 was an important law in England. It gathered and organized many existing rules into 51 different sections, called chapters. Think of it like a big rulebook for the country!
Today, only one part of this old law is still active in the United Kingdom. This is chapter 5, which says that elections must be free and fair. A small part of chapter 1 is also still used in New Zealand. However, the law was completely cancelled in Ireland in 1983.
A famous historian named William Stubbs once said that this law was almost like a complete set of rules by itself. It covered many areas of life. It made sure that everyone, rich or poor, was treated fairly. It also made sure that elections were free and that no one could stop them with threats. The law also followed the spirit of the Magna Carta, which was another very important document. It stopped unfair fines and other abuses of power.
The Statute of Westminster I also mentioned a type of punishment called prison forte et dure. This means "hard and forceful imprisonment." It was used for people accused of serious crimes who refused to speak or be judged in court.
Contents
History of the Law
The Statute of Westminster of 1275 was one of two major laws created during the time of King Edward I. A man named Robert Burnell helped write most of it.
King Edward I came back to England in August 1274 after a long journey. He was crowned king shortly after. His first big meeting with important people, called a Parliament, was planned for early 1275. It finally met in late April or early May at Westminster.
At this meeting, the main goal was to discuss and pass the Statute of Westminster I. They also agreed on new taxes for Ireland and allowed the King to collect a new tax on wool. This new law was written in Norman French, not Latin. It was passed with the agreement of many important people, including archbishops, bishops, nobles, and all the common people of the country.
This law changed how agreements were handled. Before, groups of people might have dealt with problems together. But the new law focused on each person's responsibility and the central government's role in justice.
What the Chapters Covered
The Statute of Westminster I had 51 chapters. These chapters covered many different topics to help make England a fairer and more organized place. Here are some examples of what they dealt with:
- Chapter 1 aimed to keep peace in the church and the country.
- Chapter 4 talked about what counted as "wreck of the sea" (things found from shipwrecks).
- Chapter 5, which is still important today, made sure that elections were free and fair.
- Chapter 6 said that fines should be fair and fit the crime.
- Chapter 9 asked all people to help catch criminals.
- Chapter 10 explained what kind of people should be Coroners (officials who investigate deaths).
- Chapter 15 discussed which prisoners could be released on bail and which could not.
- Chapter 25 and 28 tried to stop people from unfairly helping others in legal arguments to gain something for themselves.
- Chapter 31 set rules for how much money could be charged as a toll in cities.
- Chapter 34 said that no one should spread false or harmful rumors that could cause trouble.
Many of these chapters have since been replaced or removed over hundreds of years as laws changed and updated.
The Law in Ireland
In the past, many English laws were also used in Ireland. For example, in 1285, a special order allowed English laws like Westminster I to be used there. Later, in 1320, the Parliament of Ireland officially adopted these laws.
In 1495, another Irish law said that all English laws made for the "common good" would apply to Ireland. This meant that many parts of the 1275 Statute of Westminster were used in Ireland for a long time.
However, over the years, many parts of this old English law were removed in Ireland. Finally, in 1983, the entire 1275 English statute was officially cancelled in the Republic of Ireland.
See also
- Statute of Westminster 1285
- Quia Emptores of 1290 is sometimes called the statute of Westminster III
Additional reading
