Page:Outlines of European History.djvu/484

 412 Outlines of European History Trial by jury ^^i
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1-4 fCT'H'i'ft Cxl^ deprived many earls who had been created by Stephen and Matilda of their titles. Henry's task was a difficult one. He had need of all his tireless energy and quickness of mind to restore order in England and at the same time rule the wide realms on the Continent which he had either inherited or gained through his marriage w^ith a French heiress. In order to avoid all excuse for the pri- vate w^arfare which was such a persistent evil on the Continent, he undertook to im- prove and reform the law courts. He ar- ranged that his j udges should make regular circuits throughout the country, so that they might try cases on the spot at least once a year. We find, too, the begin- ning of our grand jury in a body of men in each neighborhood w^ho were to be duly sworn in, from time to time, and should then bring accusations against such malefactors as had come to their knowledge. As for the " petty," or smaller, jury of twelve, which actually tried the accused, its origin and history are obscure. Henry H's juries left the verdict for Heaven to pronounce in the ordeal ; but a century later we find the jury of twelve itself rendering verdicts. The plan of delegating to twelve men the duty of decid- ing on the guilt or innocence of a suspected person was very Fig. 162. Norm AX Gateway Brlstol, England This beautiful gateway was originally the entrance to a monastery, begun in 1142. It is one of the finest examples of the Norman style of building to be seen in England