bitlaw

The ancient law of England primarily based upon societal customs and recognized and enforced by the judgments and decrees of the courts. This early centralization also diminished the reception of Roman law in England, in contrast to most other nations of Europe after the decline of feudalism The expression common law,” devised to distinguish the common law from neighborhood or group customs and privileges, came to recommend to citizens a universal law, founded on explanation and superior in type.

Upon the theory that the English colonists carried with them the entire system of the English law as it existed at …