The "Assises of Jerusalem" refers to a legal code established during the Crusader period in Jerusalem. This legal code was compiled in the mid-12th century and is believed to have been based on previous legal traditions in the Levant as well as Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic legal principles.
The Assises of Jerusalem was intended to provide a comprehensive set of laws and regulations for the territories under Crusader control in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, which included Jerusalem itself as well as other areas in the Levant. It covered various aspects of governance, including criminal, civil, and feudal laws.
The code outlined specific procedures for trials and punishments, including rules for evidence, testimonies, and rules of procedure. It also addressed matters of property rights, inheritance, and social customs. The Assises of Jerusalem sought to provide justice and stability to the conquered territories, while incorporating elements from local customs and previous legal systems.
Despite being created and enforced by the Crusaders, the Assises of Jerusalem exhibited a multicultural character, reflecting influences from a variety of legal traditions in the region. It was an important legal code that contributed to the cultural exchange and legal development during the Crusader period in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Today, the Assises of Jerusalem serves as a historical source of knowledge, shedding light on the legal practices and cultural interactions in the medieval Levant during the time of the Crusaders.
