Law and Lawmakers

Religious and public law have always been closely linked, people believing offenders could be punished in this life and the next. The Magna Carta was drawn up in 1215 and signed by King John, laying down the principles of our present day legal system. It said:
No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions ... except by the lawful judgement of his equals or by the law of the land.

During the Middle Ages, innocence or guilt was judged by ordeal (test) In one ordeal, for example, the accused placed a bandaged hand in boiling water. If his hand was uninjured after three days, God had declared his innocence. If not, God had shown His anger and the accused was punished.

In 17th century Wimborne, the local magistrates were supported in maintaining law and order by churchwardens and constables, amongst others. There were also many courts.

A church court at the Minster could rule on religious and financial affairs. Cases brought before it ranged from proving wills and granting marriage licenses, to charges of wickedness; and they were mostly the latter. They ranged from playing sports on a Sunday to the example of Simon Parker, accused of offering a pair of shoes to a married woman for the use of her body.

Courts of the local manors were held at Kingston Lacy and Dean’s Court. They dealt with criminal behaviour and performed a financial role. In 1813, a baker was accused of selling loaves that were underweight. Kingston Lacy also held a coroner’s court in cases of uncertain causes of death.

More serious criminal behaviour was heard at Quarter Sessions (a type of trial) with a
local justice of the peace or at the twice yearly Assize (a type of trial) in Dorchester,
which a judge would attend.