Trailbaston (''traillebastone'', ''traillebastoun'', ''traylebastoun'') was a special type of itinerant judicial commission first created during the reign of

Edward I of England Edward I (17/18 June 1239 – 7 July 1307), also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots (Latin: Malleus Scotorum), was King of England from 1272 to 1307. Concurrently, he was Lord of Ireland, and from 1254 ...

and used many times thereafter during the reigns of

Edward II Edward II (25 April 1284 – 21 September 1327), also known as Edward of Caernarfon or Caernarvon, was King of England from 1307 until he was deposed in January 1327. The fourth son of Edward I, Edward became the heir to the throne follo ...

and

Edward III Edward III (13 November 1312 – 21 June 1377), also known as Edward of Windsor before his accession, was King of England from January 1327 until his death in 1377. He is noted for his military success and for restoring royal authority after t ...

, primarily to punish felonies and trespass at the king's suit. The first trailbaston commissions date back to 1305, when Edward I directed several teams of justices to visit each English county and seek presentments for felonies (homicide, theft, arson, and rape) and certain trespasses (premeditated assault, extortion, and violent disseisin). Edward I added conspiracy to the list of presentments in late 1305. In 1307 Edward I issued a revamped trailbaston commission that directed the justices to try assizes and deliver all prisoners in the counties they visited, not just those charged in previous trailbaston sessions. The 1307 trailbaston commission also directed justices to audit local compliance with the

Statute of Winchester The Statute of Winchester of 1285 ( 13 Edw. 1. St. 2; ), also known as the Statute of Winton, was a statute enacted by King Edward I of England that reformed the system of Watch and Ward (watchmen) of the Assize of Arms of 1252, and revived th ...

and to investigate local efforts to arrest felons. The declared intention of the trailbaston commissions was to combat increasing levels of violence and public disorder, but an added bonus for the crown was the revenues brought by

forfeit Forfeit or forfeiture may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * ''Forfeit'', a 2007 thriller film starring Billy Burke * "Forfeit", a song by Chevelle from '' Wonder What's Next'' * '' Forfeit/Fortune'', a 2008 album by Crooked Fingers ...

ure, which was the punishment for conspiracy.

References

*A. Harding, 'Early trailbaston proceedings from the Lincoln roll of 1305', in R. F. Hunnisett & J. B. Post (eds.), ''Medieval Legal Records Edited in Memory of C. A. F. Meekings'' (London: H. M. Stationery Off., 1978). 14th century in England Legal history of England {{UK-law-stub

See also

References