Assize of Clarendon

The Assize of Clarendon was a law passed in England in 1166 by King Henry II, aimed at strengthening royal control over justice. It established standardized procedures for local courts, called "eyres," to handle crimes more effectively. This law increased the authority of royal officials, known as justices, to investigate and punish common crimes like theft and assault, reducing reliance on traditional local courts controlled by nobles. Essentially, it was a key step in centralizing legal authority and creating a more uniform, royal-led justice system across England.