The laws of late medieval Italy (1000-1500) : foundations for a European legal system / / by Mario Ascheri.

• Author: Ascheri, Mario.
• Year of Publication: 2013
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (443 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

In The Laws of Late Medieval Italy Mario Ascheri examines the features of the Italian legal world and explains why it should be regarded as a foundation for the future European continental system. The deep feuds among the Empire, the Churches unified by Roman papacy and the flourishing cities gave rise to very new legal ideas with the strong cooperation of the universities, beginning with that of Bologna. The teaching of Roman law and of the new papal laws, which quickly spread all over Europe, built up a professional group of lawyers and notaries which shaped the new, 'modern', public institutions, including efficient courts (like the Inquisition). Politically divided, Italy was partly unified by the legal system, so-called (Continental) common law (ius commune), which became a pattern for all of Europe onwards. Early modern Europe had for long time to work with it, and parts of it are still alive as a common cultural heritage behind a new European law system.

Table of Contents

Irnerius and the Roman law of Justinian -- The multi-faceted eleventh century -- The characteristic of eleventh-century law -- The beginning of university teaching and groundwork for Corpus Juris Canonici -- Territorial laws and various social categories and institutions -- Protagonists of theory and practice -- Perfecting and consolidating the system -- Doctrinal and institutional developments -- University texts and legislation -- Justice and its institutions -- The end of the middle ages.