Ortelové knihy pražského Apelačního soudu a jejich interpretace

Abstract

This paper focuses on fundamental historical source important for recognition of judicial praxis in the early modern era: Books of Sentences of Appeal Court in Prag. This court was established in 1548 and since that year were the sentences taped down to books of sentences in two language rows: czech and german. The study analyzes both the outside of the source (font, language, graphical form of the decision) and, above all, its internal structure. At the same time, some particular requirements (which included each decision) are identified, and then the possibilities of their interpretation in individual and in context are presented. The paper is based on the knowledge of dozens of ortel books across the 250 year period for which the study is written. Its contribution lies mainly in describing some general elements that touch this source. The thesis can also serve as a basis for quantitative and qualitative research in the field of early modern justice.

Keywords

• appeal court in prague
• juridical practice in early modern period
• criminality
• books of sentences
• interpretation of legal history