欧美文化博览 金雀花王朝之魔王世族(6)

Henry established central courts at Westminster, and sent newly appointed royal justices on a circuit around the country.

亨利在威斯敏斯特建立了中央法院,并且对新任命的在国家巡回的皇家大法官们发号施令。

These circuit judges would meet regularly and agree to follow one another's decisions... thus ensuring common practice throughout England.

这些巡回法官会定期见面,并且承诺遵守彼此的决定…从而确保全英国的统一。

A distinct method of law making emerged.

一种特立独行的立法因此出现。

Laws now evolved through precedent¹ as well as royal decree.

现在法律通过先例以及皇家法令得以进化。

Disputes over land were important in this agricultural society.

而这个农业社会关于土地的争论从未休止而且总是那么至关重要。

Traditionally, they had been determined² by trial by battle, in which opponents exchanged blows to resolve the issue.

传统上,他们通过法庭上的唇枪舌战分出个结果,对手们会互相斗争以解决问题。

Only the King could summon a body of men to give a verdict on oath, so royal justice could offer a new, non-violent, alternative, something not available in baronial courts - trial by jury.

只有国王才能召唤法官给予裁决,所以皇家司法机构提供了一种新的、非暴力、可替代,男爵法院中不曾有过的裁决方式—那就是经由陪审团审判。

"Every free man can retain his right in his tenement³ "and avoid the doubtful outcome of a duel⁴.

“每一个自由身之人都可以保留自己的权利”,避免决斗产生的可疑结果。

"When the 12 knights⁵ have been chosen, "they are to be summoned to come to court "to swear on oath which party has the greater right."

“当12位骑士被选定之时,”他们被召集来到法院“起誓哪一方拥有更大的权利。”

1 precedent   

n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的

参考例句：

• Is there a precedent for what you want me to do?你要我做的事有前例可援吗？
• This is a wonderful achievement without precedent in Chinese history.这是中国历史上亘古未有的奇绩。

2 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

3 tenement   

n.公寓；房屋

参考例句：

• They live in a tenement.他们住在廉价公寓里。
• She felt very smug in a tenement yard like this.就是在个这样的杂院里，她觉得很得意。

4 duel   

n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争

参考例句：

• The two teams are locked in a duel for first place.两个队为争夺第一名打得难解难分。
• Duroy was forced to challenge his disparager to duel.杜洛瓦不得不向诋毁他的人提出决斗。

5 knights   

骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马

参考例句：

• stories of knights and fair maidens 关于骑士和美女的故事
• He wove a fascinating tale of knights in shining armour. 他编了一个穿着明亮盔甲的骑士的迷人故事。