Celtic Legal Codes explores the sophisticated legal systems of pre-Norman Ireland and Wales, revealing how customary law governed various aspects of life. These systems emphasized restorative justice and communal responsibility, with kinship playing a crucial role in maintaining social order. Intriguingly, these weren't primitive systems but rather nuanced adaptations to their social and environmental contexts, challenging the notion of a single “Celtic” identity. The book delves into the intricacies of land ownership, highlighting the complexities of communal land tenure within kinship frameworks.
The book progresses from establishing the historical context to analyzing major themes such as legal procedures, conflict resolution, and the function of kinship. It uniquely interprets these native laws within their own context, avoiding the common pitfall of viewing them through the lens of later English legal concepts. By examining primary sources like early Irish and Welsh law tracts, supplemented by archaeological findings, Celtic Legal Codes provides a balanced and nuanced account of these understudied legal traditions.
