Henry of Bracton, also Henry de Bracton, also Henrici Bracton, or Henry Bratton also Henry Bretton (ca.
1210–68), is an English jurist.
He is famous now for his writings on Law, particularly De Legibus et Consuetudinibus Angliae ("On the Laws and Customs of England"), and his ideas on mens rea, or criminal intent.
According to Bracton, it is only through the examination of a combination of action and intention that the commission of a criminal act can be established.
He also writes on kingship, arguing that a ruler should only be called 'king', if he obtains and exercises power in a lawful manner.
In his writings, Bracton manages coherently to set out the law of the royal courts through his use of categories drawn from Roman law, thus incorporating into English Law several developments of Medieval Roman Law.
