The Anglo-Saxon laws

The Anglo-Saxon laws were a set of legal codes and practices in England from about the 5th to the 11th centuries. They combined local customs with written laws, primarily focused on maintaining order, property rights, and restitution for wrongs. Key concepts included "wergild" (a system of compensation for injuries or deaths), the importance of oaths, and the role of the community in legal decisions. Courts were often local, with a jury-like group of peers deciding cases. These laws laid foundational principles for future English legal systems, emphasizing justice, community responsibility, and the involvement of ordinary people in the legal process.