Evaluate the changes in the English legal system during the Tudor period.

The Tudor period saw significant changes in the English legal system, including the centralisation of power and the codification of laws.

During the Tudor period, the English legal system underwent a series of significant transformations. One of the most notable changes was the centralisation of power. Prior to the Tudor reign, the legal system was largely decentralised, with local lords and nobles holding significant judicial authority. However, under the Tudors, particularly Henry VII and Henry VIII, there was a concerted effort to centralise legal authority in the hands of the monarchy. This was achieved through a variety of means, including the establishment of the Star Chamber, a court that was directly controlled by the monarch and used to try cases of political significance.

Another significant change was the codification of laws. Before the Tudor period, English law was largely based on custom and precedent. However, during the Tudor reign, there was a move towards codifying laws, making them more consistent and predictable. This was particularly evident in the areas of criminal law and property law. For example, under Henry VIII, a series of statutes were passed that defined specific crimes and their punishments, replacing the previous system of arbitrary punishments.

The Tudor period also saw the introduction of new legal institutions. For instance, the Court of Requests was established by Henry VII as a court of equity, designed to provide a more fair and just resolution to legal disputes than the common law courts. Similarly, the Court of Wards and Liveries was established by Henry VIII to manage the property of minors and lunatics, a function that had previously been performed by local lords.

Furthermore, the Tudor period saw a shift in the role of the judiciary. Prior to the Tudor reign, judges were largely seen as servants of the king, with their primary role being to enforce the king's will. However, during the Tudor period, judges began to be seen more as independent arbiters of the law. This was partly due to the increasing complexity of the law, which required judges to have a deep understanding of legal principles, and partly due to the growing influence of the legal profession, which sought to protect its independence from the monarchy.

In conclusion, the Tudor period was a time of significant change in the English legal system. The centralisation of power, the codification of laws, the introduction of new legal institutions, and the changing role of the judiciary all contributed to a transformation of the legal system that laid the foundations for the modern