Elthestan

For some reason today, I have been thinking about Elthelstan, the great grandson of Alfred the Great. He was the first real King of England and he introduced fairly radical changes to the legal system that pertained at the time, many of which are with us to this day.

For example, he introduced a law that said if you were convicted of stealing and you were under 12 you need not necessarily be hung. He also introduced the concept of a period of imprisonment followed by a fine - which was quite radical for its time. On the down side he was quite keen on the trial by fire, water and the like, but hey, it was late 10th - early 11th Century.

I looked around Mecklenburg County Courthouse today, just to get my bearings. It is a new, very imposing building, built close to the jail, which is four separate but linked high rise blocks. The old Courthouse is nearby and appears to be undergoing refurbishment. The new one has quotations from the great and the good carved into it's walls, including some from a personal hero Cicero. His name means chickpea by the way, did you know that?

Anyway, whilst the footie is on and the hotel is quiet I intend to ready myself for the meetings tomorrow. I have noticed a lot more police and other security on the streets and all are armed. Still the place feels secure and people appear happy - there is no air of fear or the like. And so gentle reader, I bid you adieu until the morrow.