The authors present a depiction of legal history from the end of the Western Roman Empire to the upheaval around 1800, which distinguishes itself in structure and perspective from the older legal histories that explicitly or implicitly relate to the state. The focal point of legal development is rather the communal context of life, which has condensed and legally formed since the High Middle Ages in rural and urban communities or municipalities. The evolution of traditional legal forms and the penetration of scholarly legal thought are examined from their spheres of influence. The book offers synthetic representations and problem-oriented discussions of the state of research for scholars as well as interested students of law, history, and other relevant disciplines.