Fredrick William Maitland: contribution to the history of English law.
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
In this study, Maitland's most importnat contributions to the history of English Law have been set forth in detail. After indicating the course and nature of Maitland's examination of the topics under consideration, the author has endeavored to explain the basis for Maitland's principal conclusions. This work then goes on to examine the writings of both those scholars who preceded and those who have succeeded Maitland in order to place his work in perspective and to determine how his contributions stand after more than half a century of historical research. Included in this work is the definitive bibliography of Maitland's writings. Maitland came to history from the study of law and the interrelationship of these two strings permeates his writings. His legal training caused him to be suspicious of generalizations and where generalizations were necessary, he illustrated them by applying them to specific cases. Maitland had a unique ability of relating legal terms to personal experiences and meaningful patterns of thought. This method of explanation was the result of his broad knowledge of the original documents. His work as the editor of Year Books, court rolls, and Bracton's Note-Book was as notable as the volumes which he contributed on the history of English Law. [TRUNCATED]
Description
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University
License
Based on investigation of the BU Libraries' staff, this work is free of known copyright restrictions.