Page "Jury trial" Paragraph 10

In the 12th century, Henry II took a major step in developing the jury system.

Henry II set up a system to resolve land disputes using juries.

A jury of twelve free men were assigned to arbitrate in these disputes.

As with the Saxon system, these men were charged with uncovering the facts of the case on their own rather than listening to arguments in court.

Henry II also introduced what is now known as the " grand jury " through his Assize of Clarendon.

Under the assize, a jury of free men was charged with reporting any crimes that they knew of in their hundred to a " justice in eyre ," a judge who moved between hundreds on a circuit.

A criminal accused by this jury was given a trial by ordeal.