The Statute of Westminster of 1275, 3 Edw. ch. 15, also known as the Statute of Westminster I, codified existing law in England in 51 chapters.
It was one of two English statutes largely drafted by Robert Burnell and passed during the reign of Edward I. Parliament having met at Westminster on 22 April 1275, its main work was the consideration of the Statute of Westminster I. This was drawn up, not in Latin, but in Norman French, and was passed "par le assentement des erceveskes, eveskes, abbes, priurs, contes, barons, et la communaute de la tere ileokes somons".
Its provisions can be best summarized in the words of Stubbs (Const. Hist. cap. xiv.): "This act is almost a code by itself; it contains fifty-one clauses, and covers the whole ground of legislation. Its language now recalls that of Canute or Alfred, now anticipates that of our own day; on the one hand common right is to be done to all, as well poor as rich, without respect of persons; on the other, elections are to be free, and no man is by force, malice or menace, to disturb them. The spirit of the Great Charter is not less discernible: excessive amercements, abuses of wardship, irregular demands for feudal aids, are forbidden in the same words or by amending enactments. The inquest system of Henry II of England, the law of wreck, and the institution of coroners, measures of Richard and his ministers, come under review as well as the Provisions of Oxford and the Statute of Marlborough." Chapter 15, known as the Freedom of Election Act 1275, is still in force in the United Kingdom.
The peine forte et dure (Law French for "hard and forceful punishment") was first mentioned in the Statute of Westminster I.
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