When you are writing laws you are testing words to find their utmost power. Like spells, they have to make things happen in the real world, and like spells, they only work if people believe in them. If your law exacts a penalty, you must be able to enforce it – on the rich as well as the poor, the people on the Scottish borders and the Welsh marches, the men of Cornwall as well as the men of Sussex and Kent.
In 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel, the intricate nature of law is likened to the craft of spell-making, emphasizing the significance of language and belief in the creation of legal systems. The author suggests that laws are not merely words on paper; they are powerful tools designed to enact change and govern behavior. The effectiveness of such laws hinges on the collective belief of the people they are meant to guide and enforce.
Furthermore, Mantel highlights the necessity of fairness in the enforcement of laws, asserting that justice must be applicable to everyone, regardless of their social status or geographical location. The mention of various regions, from the Scottish borders to Cornwall, illustrates the diverse society that laws must account for, as well as the equitable application required to uphold their authority and moral standing. This perspective underlines the complex relationship between language, belief, and the enforcement of rules within human societal structures.
