king's peace
LowHistorical, Legal, Formal
Definition
Meaning
The protection from violence and disorder guaranteed by the sovereign's authority, originally in medieval England.
A state of public order and security, especially one enforced by a central governing authority. In modern contexts, it can metaphorically refer to an imposed or fragile state of calm.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A compound noun (possessive form) typically treated as a singular concept. Its primary use is in historical or legal discourse. It implies a top-down, sovereign-granted state of order, distinct from a personal or organic peace.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originates in English common law and is more familiar in UK historical contexts. In American usage, it is primarily an academic/historical term and may be less intuitively understood.
Connotations
In the UK, it carries strong historical and constitutional weight. In the US, it may be viewed as a specific artifact of British history.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general American English; occasional in British historical writing or legal education.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] breached the king's peace by [gerund phrase].The [authority] ensured the king's peace throughout the [region].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be in/out of the king's peace.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in history, law, and medieval studies to describe a foundational legal concept.
Everyday
Extremely rare; might be used metaphorically or humorously ('So much for the king's peace in this house!').
Technical
A precise term in English legal history denoting the condition of being under the sovereign's direct protection against violence.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Long ago, the king's peace kept people safe.
- The knight was punished for breaking the king's peace during the festival.
- The concept of the king's peace was fundamental to the development of English common law.
- Historians argue that the extension of the king's peace to ever-broader spheres of life centralised judicial authority in the monarchy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a KING holding a gavel, declaring 'PEACE' in his courtroom. The KING'S PEACE is the law he upholds.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEACE IS A POSSESSION GRANTED BY AUTHORITY (The king owns and bestows peace upon the land).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'королевский мир' for modern contexts, as it sounds like a 'royal world' (as in planet).
- In historical contexts, 'королевский мир' is acceptable, but 'закон и порядок, установленные короной' (law and order established by the crown) may be clearer.
- Do not confuse with 'царский мир' (tsar's peace), which is a different historical concept.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a synonym for personal inner peace (e.g., 'I need to find my king's peace').
- Incorrect pluralisation ('kings' peaces'). It is an uncountable, fixed concept.
- Using it in a modern legal context outside of historical reference.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'king's peace' most accurately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not as a direct, separate law. The underlying principle of state-guaranteed public order evolved into modern criminal law and the concept of 'the peace' or 'public peace' that police forces are tasked to keep.
Yes. The equivalent term during the reign of a queen is 'queen's peace'. The legal concept is identical.
The king's peace was the normal, sovereign-enforced legal order. Martial law is a temporary, extraordinary imposition of military authority, often suspending ordinary law, typically during an emergency.
It was a key mechanism for expanding royal authority and centralising justice. Crimes against the 'king's peace' were tried in royal courts, not local ones, helping to create a unified national legal system.