Rules and laws strictly governed peoples' lives in the Middle Ages. Failure to observe any law could lead to imprisonment, torture, or even death. Medieval Laws and Punishment details the laws that kept order, who was responsible for enforcing the law and carrying out punishments, and what would happen to people who took the law into their own hands. Discusses laws for a family, children, and women; going to court; life in medieval prison; Inquisitions; keepers of the law; fees, fines, and taxes; medieval punishments.

On cover: Medieval law and punishment. Includes index.