A Dissertation on the History of Hereditary Dignities (Classic Reprint): Particularly as to Their Course of Descent, and Their Forfeiture by ... of the Earldom of Wiltes (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Inhaltsangabe

Explains how English law treats noble titles, with careful, evidence-based analysis.

This work surveys the history of attainder, forfeiture, and the fate of hereditary dignities through key cases and parliamentary records. It clarifies what counts as a legal forfeiture and why some royal actions were debated as indemnities rather than judgments.

Employing historical documents and expert commentary, the book frames questions about whether a conqueror’s claims could legitimately strip a peer of his title or lands. It contrasts cases where a formal charge and trial were present with those that rested on expedient royal decisions. The scope includes discussions of the earldom of Wiltes and related disputes in medieval to early modern England, highlighting how the law evolved around treason, attainder, and succession.

• How “forfeiture” and “attainder” were used in real cases involving peers.
• What constitutes a valid legal basis to remove a title or lands from a noble.
• Why certain royal actions were described as indemnities or declarations rather than statutorily enacted judgments.
• How historical debates on these points shape our understanding of English law.

Ideal for readers of legal history and those curious about the origins of noble titles in English law.

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