Medieval German Law

Medieval German law refers to the legal systems and practices developed in the German territories during the Middle Ages (roughly the 5th to the 15th century). It was influenced by Roman law, local customs, and feudal traditions. Laws were often unwritten, relying on local customs and community agreements, with judges (often local lords or nobles) resolving disputes. Key legal concepts included the protection of property rights, obligations of vassals to their lords, and the role of guilds in regulating trades. Over time, written legal codes began to emerge, leading towards more standardized legal practices in later centuries.