The Norman conquerors brought no written law, but affirmed the laws of the nation. Two they especially enforced were:
Anyone caught in the act of digging up the King's road, felling a tree across it, or attacking someone so that his blood spilled on it shall pay a fine to the King.
All freemen shall have a surety who would hand him over to justice for his offenses or pay the damages or fines due. Also, the entire hundred was the ultimate surety for murder and would have to pay a "murdrum" fine.
William made these decrees:
No cattle shall be sold except in towns and before three witnesses.
For the sale of ancient chattels, there must be a surety and a warrantor.
No man shall be sold over the sea. (This ended the slave trade at the port of Bristol.)
The death penalty for persons tried by court is abolished.
Judicial Procedure
"Ecclesiastical" courts were created for bishops to preside over issues concerning the cure of souls and criminal cases in which the ordeal was used. When William did not preside over this court, an appeal could be made to him.