Penance, submission and deditio: religious influences on dispute settlement in later Anglo-Saxon England (871–1066)
Levi Roach
Abstract Starting with evidence from law-codes, this article traces how penance was increasingly integrated into later Anglo-Saxon legal culture, arguing that process opened the way for ritualized acts of satisfaction to become a regular feature contemporary dispute settlement. The rituals used in such contexts often borrowed symbols and concepts world penance, central idea being an offender who repented humbled himself worthy pardon. A few detailed accounts settlements survive these we may add cases restitution political reconciliation, which witness similar logic. Taken together, suggest stark contrasts drawn between English continental (particularly German) disputing years are need some revision. Far ‘fiercely punitive’, justice characterized by complex mix formalized punishments more informal means settlement, not unlike what is visible Ottonian Reich .
Anglo-Saxon England