Justice and legal practice in early medieval Italy, ca. 700–900

Abstract

This essay surveys the principle features of justice and legal practice in early medieval Italy as revealed in recent scholarship. It focuses on the Lombard (568-774) and Carolingian (774-888) periods, as well as the immediate post-Carolingian period down to the year 900. It deals primarily with the justice of the placita, or public court hearings, that have been the focus of most scholarship to date. It concludes with a brief consideration of other forms of justice and dispute settlement beyond the placita.