Bot and Gemots: Anglo-Saxon Legal References in Harry Potter

Liemer, Susan

doi:10.2139/ssrn.1321874

Abstract

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Bot and Gemots: Anglo-Saxon Legal References in Harry Potter

Susan Liemer

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale - School of Law

December 30, 2008

Abstract:
In the popular Harry Potter book series, author J.K. Rowling obliquely references the legal world of the old Anglo-Saxon tribes. This article explains how she does so and offers explanations to help readers understand the parallels between legal institutions of the Anglo-Saxon world and the legal institutions in Harry's wizard world. This understanding may deepen readers' appreciation of the dynamics in each trial scene in the series.

This article has now been published as a chapter in The Law & Harry Potter, Jeffrey E. Thomas & Franklin G. Snyder eds. (Carolina Academic Press 2010).

Number of Pages in PDF File: 22

Keywords: law and literature, legal history, Anglo-Saxon law, storytelling

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Date posted: January 5, 2009 ; Last revised: December 30, 2010

Suggested Citation

Liemer, Susan, Bot and Gemots: Anglo-Saxon Legal References in Harry Potter (December 30, 2008). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1321874 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1321874

Contact Information

Susan Liemer (Contact Author)

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale - School of Law ( email )

1150 Douglas Drive
Carbondale, IL 62901-6804
United States
618-453-8648 (Phone)