Statute of Winchester

The Statute of Winchester of 1285 (13 Edw. 1. St. 2; Latin: Statutum Wynton̄), also known as the Statute of Winton, was a statute enacted by King Edward I of England that reformed the system of Watch and Ward (watchmen) of the Assize of Arms of 1252, and revived the jurisdiction of the local courts.^[1][2] It received royal assent on 8 October 1285.

Statute of Winchester

Act of Parliament
Parliament of England
Long title	Statutum Wynton̄
Citation	13 Edw. 1. St. 2
Territorial extent	England and Wales
Dates
Royal assent	8 October 1285
Commencement	8 October 1285[a]
Repealed	1 January 1970
Other legislation
Amended by	Continuance, etc. of Laws Act 1623Criminal Statutes Repeal Act 1827 Criminal Statutes (Ireland) Repeal Act 1828 Criminal Law (India) Act 1828 Statute Law Revision Act 1863 Statute Law Revision (Ireland) Act 1872
Repealed by	Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1969
Relates to	Statute of Northampton
Status: Repealed
Text of statute as originally enacted

It was the primary legislation enacted to regulate the policing of the country between the Norman Conquest and the Metropolitan Police Act 1829 (10 Geo. 4. c. 44).^[3] Of particular note was the requirement to raise hue and cry, and that "the whole hundred … shall be answerable" for any theft or robbery, in effect a form of collective responsibility.

Chapters

The Statute of Winchester is composed of six chapters:

Drawing of Edward I, 1297/98

Chapter	Title
1	Fresh Suit shall be made after Felons and Robbers from Town to Town, &c.
2	Inquiry of Felons and Robbers, and the County shall answer if they be not taken.
3	This Act shall be respited until Easter next.
4	At what Times the Gates of great Towns shall be shut, and when the Night Watch shall begin and end.
5	Breadth of Highways leading from one Market-Town to another.
6	That View of Arms be made. Hue and Cry shall be followed. Fairs or Markets shall not be kept in Church-yards.

Legacy

The statute was confirmed by the Statute of Northampton (2 Edw. 3. c. 6).

Chapter 6 of the act was repealed "as concerneth the having, repairing, and view of harness and arms." was repealed by section 11 of the Continuance, etc. of Laws Act 1623 (21 Jas. 1. c. 28).

See also

• History of law enforcement in the United Kingdom

Notes

1. Start of session.