How did the Sachsenspiegel preserve Saxon customary law in the 13th century?

The Sachsenspiegel preserved Saxon customary law in the 13th century by serving as the most significant medieval compilation of these traditions, systematically organized by the knight and judge Eike von Repgow.1

By documenting these practices in writing—initially in Latin and subsequently in German—the work codified existing legal norms while remaining notably free from the influence of Roman law, which had not yet penetrated the region. The text was structured into two distinct sections to provide a comprehensive legal framework:1

• Landrecht (Territorial Law): This section encompassed constitutional law, criminal law, and civil law procedures.1
• Lehnrecht (Feudal Law): This section detailed the regulations governing feudal relationships.1

The Sachsenspiegel became a foundational model for town constitutions, most notably through the Magdeburg Law, which spread across Germany and eastern Europe. Its influence persisted for over 300 years, shaping legal standards until the eventual reception of Roman law in the 16th century.1