Odd medieal English custom, can anyone back this up?

[Wombat]

Okay, I'm looking through Clanchy right now...

**flip flip**

There is a great chapter (Part II, Chapter 8) "Hearing & Seeing": several examples are given of contracts that have material components, including the handing over of an ivory riding crop to indicate horses were given to an abbey, bits of turf handed over to indicate propterty exchange, etc. No, I'm not finding 100% the example stated above, but it certainly fits in the general feel.

FYI:

From Memory to Written Record: England 1066-1307 (2nd ed)
M.T. Clanchy
Blackwell, 1993
ISBN 0-631-16857-5

This is a fantastic book on the development of the literate/legal culture in England (and medieval Europe in general) in this timeframe. Truly a seminal work!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...104-7420005-6037520?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

 

[Buttercup]

Don't forget this is the same country that came up with the Rule of Thumb (The law was you shall not beat your wife with anything thicker than your thumb).

This belief about the original meaning of the Rule of Thumb is not true. Read about it here: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000512.html