English Lawyers And The Identity Transformation Of The Apprentice-at-Law During The 13^th-16^th Centuries

The judicial reformations in England during the 12th and 13th centuries, which set a solid foundation of the common law, witnessed the emergence of the English legal profession as well as a unique social class called the "Apprentice-at-Law" who not only acted as the heir the common law but took responsibility for inheriting the judicial culture of England and maintaining the authority of the common law.The study includes three parts:The Preface is a combination of the academic history of this subject and the aim of this essay.Chapter One is concerned about the origin of the Apprentice-at-Law, which is believed to be the inevitable fruit of the judicial reformation conducted by Henry II and the emergence of the English legal profession in the 12th and 13th centuries, and the early history of this unique class during 1280—1340 when the judges doubled as the tutors of the common law on the court.Chapter Two mainly focuses on the first identity transformation of the Apprentice-at-Law during the period of Inns of Court, which symbolized the formal and systematic education of the Apprentice-at-Law. Birth of the Inns, school life and job prospect of the Apprentice-at-Law are discussed respectively.Chapter Three sheds the light on the second identity transformation of the Apprentice-at-Law around 1500 when a fierce social revolution happened and the Coif fade away accordingly. Career opportunity, social reform and self-realization all played the essential role during the process.The Conclusion mainly deals with the magnificent influence of the Apprentice-at-Law and the Inns of Court on the English legal system nowadays. Furthermore, to some extent, the study of this subject may also pass some valuable experience to our own judicial education.