ABSTRACT
The system of government which prevailed in England during the middle ages may fairly be described as personal. The king with his court was not merely the centre of the government ; he was the whole government. The king was not only the head of the law, he was the law. When the king died his peace died with him and trespasses committed before his death could not be punished afterwards unless the accused had been impleaded previously1. The force of such favours as licences to alienate died with him and they could not be used after his death2.
