| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | Statutum Wynton̄ |
|---|---|
| Citation | 13 Edw. 1. St. 2 |
| Territorial extent | England and Wales |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 8 October 1285 |
| Commencement | 8 October 1285[a] |
| Repealed | 1 January 1970 |
| Other legislation | |
| Amended by | |
| Repealed by | Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1969 |
Status: Repealed | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
TheStatute of Winchester of 1285 (13 Edw. 1. St. 2;Latin:Statutum Wynton̄), also known as theStatute of Winton, was a statute enacted by KingEdward I of England that reformed the system of Watch and Ward (watchmen) of theAssize of Arms of 1252, and revived the jurisdiction of the local courts.[1][2] It receivedroyal assent on 8 October 1285.
It was the primary legislation enacted to regulate thepolicing of the country between theNorman Conquest and theMetropolitan Police Act 1829 (10 Geo. 4. c. 44).[3] Of particular note was the requirement to raisehue and cry, and that "the wholehundred … shall be answerable" for anytheft orrobbery, in effect a form ofcollective responsibility.
The Statute of Winchester is composed of six chapters:
| Chapter | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fresh Suit shall be made afterFelons and Robbers from Town to Town, &c. |
| 2 | Inquiry of Felons and Robbers, and the County shall answer if they be not taken. |
| 3 | This Act shall be respited until Easter next. |
| 4 | At what Times the Gates of great Towns shall be shut, and when the Night Watch shall begin and end. |
| 5 | Breadth of Highways leading from one Market-Town to another. |
| 6 | That View of Arms be made. Hue and Cry shall be followed. Fairs or Markets shall not be kept in Church-yards. |
Chapter 6 of the act was repealed "As concerneth the having, repairing, and view of harness and arms." was repealed by section 11 of theContinuance, etc. of Laws Act 1623 (21 Jas. 1. c. 28).
The Statute of Winchester was the only general public measure of any consequence enacted to regulate the policing of the country between the Norman Conquest and the Metropolitan Police Act, 1829…
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