This much appreciated work traces the development and absorption of Roman Law into western European systems, the nature and practice of feudalism and customary law, and the growth of the canon law. The focus of the book gravitates naturally towards the heart of Europe, the Italian peninsular, France[...]

Although the Romans lived in a society very different from ours, they were like us in fearing crime and in hoping to control it by means of the law. Ordinary citizens wanted protection from muggers in the streets or thieves at the public baths. They demanded laws to punish officials who abused power[...]