Windows on Justice in Northern Iberia, 800–1000
Wendy Davies
Although it has a rich historiography, and from the late ninth century is in textual evidence, northern Iberia barely featured great debates of early medieval European history recent generations. Lying beyond Frankish world, peninsula more than half controlled by Muslims, Spanish Portuguese experience seemed irrelevant to Carolingian Empire political fragmentation (or realignment) that followed it. But Spain Portugal shared Roman heritage which influenced much western Europe middle ages tenth records practice Christian north still features with parts farther east.
What interesting, wider context, some so-called characteristics world - public court, collective judgment are as characteristic Iberian world. The suggestion they disappeared be replaced 'private' mechanisms, played major role about changing nature power central ages: what happened judicial courts been grand narratives Duby successive historians, for powerful lens into very real issues politics power.
Looking at west Frankia allows us think again public; identifying all adjust balance between monastic lay activity. What these show peasants, like other people, used seek redress gain advantages. Records were not entirely framed nor dominated ecclesiastical interests.