Ages William Chester Jordan Chapter Summaries
Ages by William Chester Jordan
This work explores the phenomenon of England’s use of exile during the 12th-14th centuries, which was employed as an alternative to proper trial and/or the death penalty in cases of criminal conviction. The book begins with a discussion of abjuration, which is the act of renouncing citizenship and allowing oneself to be expelled from the country. Jordan argues that abjuration into perpetual exile was not a punishment following trial but rather a mitigation of punishment; in better terms, mercy. (More specifically, the author distinguishes this form of mercy as “fearsome,” meaning it was employed because of its uncertain outcomes). The system of abjuration was supported by most Medieval leaders, though this does not necessarily imply there was popular enthusiasm for it. Though a rare occurrence, abjurers would sometimes attempt to break sanctuary out of fear for …show more content…
Additionally, author seems to have an endless resource of individual stories to serve as examples to his point; this makes the read emotionally relatable, and distinguishes his work from other historical works by avoiding a “cut-and-dry” perspective. For example, in the opening chapter, author describes the following scenario:
“In a case from the year 1212, one Robert, the son of a certain Geoffrey, abjured at York. He was a parson, presumably a low-level clerk, for abjuration was not supposed to be available to those who enjoyed benefit of clergy.⁷² He was also suspected of earlier having abjured at Nottingham. Upon inquiry, however, York officials discovered that the suspicion was groundless.⁷³” (page 37).
Jordan uses this specific story to demonstrate a case where a felon received more than one abjuration, though this was not common. By doing so, he successfully draws in the reader by making the situation understandable and
This work explores the phenomenon of England’s use of exile during the 12th-14th centuries, which was employed as an alternative to proper trial and/or the death penalty in cases of criminal conviction. The book begins with a discussion of abjuration, which is the act of renouncing citizenship and allowing oneself to be expelled from the country. Jordan argues that abjuration into perpetual exile was not a punishment following trial but rather a mitigation of punishment; in better terms, mercy. (More specifically, the author distinguishes this form of mercy as “fearsome,” meaning it was employed because of its uncertain outcomes). The system of abjuration was supported by most Medieval leaders, though this does not necessarily imply there was popular enthusiasm for it. Though a rare occurrence, abjurers would sometimes attempt to break sanctuary out of fear for …show more content…
Additionally, author seems to have an endless resource of individual stories to serve as examples to his point; this makes the read emotionally relatable, and distinguishes his work from other historical works by avoiding a “cut-and-dry” perspective. For example, in the opening chapter, author describes the following scenario:
“In a case from the year 1212, one Robert, the son of a certain Geoffrey, abjured at York. He was a parson, presumably a low-level clerk, for abjuration was not supposed to be available to those who enjoyed benefit of clergy.⁷² He was also suspected of earlier having abjured at Nottingham. Upon inquiry, however, York officials discovered that the suspicion was groundless.⁷³” (page 37).
Jordan uses this specific story to demonstrate a case where a felon received more than one abjuration, though this was not common. By doing so, he successfully draws in the reader by making the situation understandable and