Wulfstan v Thomas (1070)

Wulfstan v Thomas was an early court case in English law.[1] Bishop Wulstan latter Saint Wulfstan, was appealing to the new king against the taking of estates that had belonged to the Cathedral at Worcester.

Background

Prior to the Norman Conquest a former Bishop, Ealdred had taken in personum (as private property) various estates that had belonged to the diocese of Worcester, when he left to become the Bishop at York. Following the death of Ealred these estates were now held by the Bishopric of York.[2][3]

In this case the new Bishop of Worcester was seeking from William the Conqueror, the new Norman king, that Thomas the Bishop of York restore the lands that had belonged to Worcester.

This was a very brave move as Thomas the new Bishop at York was a favorite of William and trusted disciple of Williams Brother Odo of Bayeux.

Result

The Plaint was successful.

The court cases can be viewed as a part of a large collection of pleadings against a process of Nomanization that within a decade saw 64% of land in England consolidated into the hands of just 150 individuals, and many of the nobility deprived of their estates.

See also

References

  1. ↑ This cases predates the establishment of the Common Law under Henry II, and should more properly be considered a hearing under Norman Law.
  2. ↑ R. C. Van Caenegem, ENGLISH LAWSUITS FROM WILLIAM I TO RICHARD I Vol.I. William I to Stephen. Vol. 106, (Selden Society,1990).
  3. ↑ Placita Anglo-Normannica [electronic resource] : Law Cases from William I to Richard I - Preserved in Historical Records (London: S. Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, 1879)


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