The Assize of Northampton, largely based on …
Years: 1176 - 1176
January
The Assize of Northampton, largely based on the Assize of Clarendon of 1166, is among a series of measures taken by King Henry II of England that solidifies the rights of the knightly tenants and makes all possession of land subject to and guaranteed by royal law.
The assize, believed to have been passed at a council held in Northampton in January 1176, contains severe penalties for various offenses and gives the justices substantial powers at the expense of the sheriffs.
The assize is connected with the reorganization of itinerant justices and contains instructions for six groups of justices appointed to tour the country.
Later clauses deal with the introduction of important new legislation, chiefly the king's right to have certain cases brought into his court.
The assize is a strong response to a crime-wave being experienced at this time and gives additional powers to the authorities by creating new offenses that a judge can examine, including arson and forgery, and sets down new and severe punishments that can be handed down, including the removal of an offender's right hand.
