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IMC 2013: Sessions

Session 1631: 14th-Century Studies, IV: Politics and Law in Late Medieval England

Thursday 4 July 2013, 11.15-12.45

Sponsor:Society for 14th-Century Studies
Organiser:Gwilym Dodd, Department of History, University of Nottingham
Moderator/Chair:W. Mark Ormrod, Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York
Paper 1631-aDefining Political Consciousness in 14th-Century England
(Language: English)
Helen Lacey, Mansfield College, University of Oxford
Index terms: Administration, Politics and Diplomacy
Paper 1631-bEnforcing New Laws in Late Medieval England
(Language: English)
Gordon McKelvie, Department of History, University of Winchester
Index terms: Law, Politics and Diplomacy, Social History
Paper 1631-cHenry IV and Criminal Clergy
(Language: English)
Chris Given-Wilson, St Andrews Institute of Mediaeval Studies, University of St Andrews
Index terms: Politics and Diplomacy, Religious Life
Abstract

This sessions explores aspects of politics and law in 14th century England. The first paper seeks to examine new ways of defining 'political consciousness' in this period, by expanding the range of sources beyond those traditionally used to think about the interaction between subjects and royal government. The second paper places illegal livery in the wider context of the relationship between parliamentary and judicial activity in the late medieval period by considering the enforcement of several new laws during the 14th century such as the statutes of labourers and the various sumptuary laws. The third paper examines Henry IV's treatment of clerics who were condemned as heretics, those who rebelled against him, and those convicted of lesser crimes. The paper looks at the legal background to these cases and the issue of clerical immunity from secular justice.