Vaughn, Sally N.2018-02-152018-02-15December 22017-12December 2http://hdl.handle.net/10657/2087This thesis advances the study of Germanic cultural and legal discourse by drawing attention to the retention of customary law found within the constitutions promulgated by the peoples of Germanic ethnolinguistic origins during the Middle Ages. It argues that shared customs are apparent in the law codes issued by West and North Germanic kings on the Continent, in England, and in Scandinavia, and that those customs persisted for more than a millennium. The legal history of the Leges Barbarorum, the Anglo-Saxon dooms, and the Scandinavian laws is of profound historical importance, and the assorted law codes underscore an enduring Germanic culture spanning thousands of miles and more than ten centuries. By comparing institutional vocabulary and cultural standards among the many Germanic laws, an argument is made for a pan-Germanic consciousness rooted in shared ancient custom.application/pdfengThe author of this work is the copyright owner. UH Libraries and the Texas Digital Library have their permission to store and provide access to this work. Further transmission, reproduction, or presentation of this work is prohibited except with permission of the author(s).Medieval lawMedievalGermanic lawLeges barbarorumAnglo-Saxon doomsAnglo-Saxon literacyAnglo-Saxon conversionGermanic customGermanic traditionAnglo-Saxon traditionAnglo-Saxon customCustomary law2018-02-15Thesisborn digital