#time immemorial

Not just during the Early Middle Ages!

I've written about this a bit before, but in English and Anglosphere common law, there is a concept called "time immemorial" that describes when a given property right or use-right began, and makes it very difficult to change or challenge rights that are considered that old.

The traditional medieval formulation for "time immemorial" was that a given property, right, usage, or benefit had existed since "Time whereof the Memory of Man runneth not to the contrary." And in a medieval court of law, the way this period was established was by calling the oldest man in the parish to testify as to their memory - no other records required.

The reason why this method of ascertainment was used is that everyone understood that they were living in a society in which literacy rates were low and written records were uncommon. Thus, more weight was placed on oral tradition and human memory, which was encouraged by certain cultural traditions that sought to encourage the development of childhood memories associated with property rights.

For example, the custom of "beating the bounds" was established in which local communities would parade around the boundaries of their parish every seven years to remind everyone of where the boundary markers were supposed to be; while community leaders were encouraged to participate to demonstrate social solidarity, particular attention was paid to the participation of young children - who were variously either made to beat boundary markers with switches, were beaten with switches at boundary markers, had their heads knocked against the boundary markers, or were made to put their bare bottoms on the boundary markers.

To those of you who are Starbound/Artemis Fowl fans - I wrote a little crossover drabble between the two for my idea drabble collection on A03!  Feel free to have a look!

Chapter Title: Time Immemorial.

trying shit late at night

GORETOBER DAY 13: it burns from deep inside you

The blood in your veins draws manitous like honey. If you die and a decent amount of your body remains, you may spend a Legend chip to return as Harrowed.