Bedford is an historic town located in the East of England, with a long and varied history. Its legal history dates back to the time of the Saxons, when it was part of Mercia, one of the seven kingdoms that made up England. Since then, Bedford has been at the centre of many important cases and decisions that have shaped our nation’s laws.
Medieval Times
In 1215 King John sealed Magna Carta at Runnymede, a document which established some basic rights for all English people – among them being that no one could be tried without due process. This landmark decision had immediate repercussions on Bedfordshire, as the Sheriff of Bedford was one of the 25 barons who had summoned the King to Runnymede in order to force him to sign Magna Carta.
Bedfordshire played host to many trials and legal decisions during medieval times. In 1225, a court in Bedford heard a dispute between William de Gloucester (King John’s brother) and Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk, over fishing rights on the River Ouse. The court ruled that Bigod should pay damages for taking fish without permission. Thirteen years later, another dispute between two magnates regarding land ownership was also heard at Bedford.
Early Modern Times
In 1560, Bedford was the site of one of the earliest cases involving freedom of speech in England. In The Case of Aylesbury Bridge, a group of residents were accused of constructing a bridge over the River Ouse without obtaining royal permission. They argued that this had been necessary in order to provide access for their local market, and that their actions should be covered by Magna Carta’s right to due process. The court ultimately ruled in favour of the defendants.
From 1604 onwards, Bedfordshire also witnessed some important changes which would shape our modern legal system. In 1604, Bedfordshire resident Sir Edward Coke argued successfully before King James I that common law took precedence over royal edicts. This case is seen as a major landmark in the development of English common law, and is still studied widely today.
The Modern Era
In 1820, Bedford was the venue for the trial of Daniel Mendoza, who had been charged with theft. The jury found him guilty but refused to pass sentence on him due to his young age (13) and relative poverty. This case helped to set important legal precedents regarding juvenile justice; in particular, it established that juveniles could not be sentenced without taking into account their socioeconomic status.
Bedford would also play an integral role in the development of modern banking law. In 1833, three banks – the Bank of England, Birmingham Banking Company and London & Westminster Bank – opened branches in Bedford, forming the first branch-based banking system in the UK. This paved the way for modern banking practices and was a major milestone in British finance.
Today, Bedford is home to many important legal institutions such as the County Court and local police station. It continues to be an integral part of English history and remains at the heart of British law.
