The Probert Encyclopaedia of General Information

BODY OF LIBERTIES

The Body of Liberties was a code of 100 fundamental laws established by the General Court of Massachusetts in December 1641. Previously there had been no written law in the colony, and justice was administered wholly upon principles of equity. The Body of Liberties was drafted by Nathaniel Ward, pastor of the church at Ipswich. It laid down the fundamental principles of the sacredness of life, liberty, property and reputation and prescribed general rules for judicial proceedings.
Research Body of Liberties