A crime against the royal peace, a key element of royal justice that has radically altered the enforcement of law in feudal states. At each hundred and shire moot, the question is put to the jurors “whether any man present knows of any crime against the crown, or of any felons
dwelling in the community.” The jurors are sworn to give the particulars of any case of which they know and the assembly may have the accused brought before it for trial. The principal difference between a felony and other types of crime is that the crown can initiate action against the accused, thus removing the burden to prosecute from an individual who often, under vendetta law, has insufficient power to get justice. See Law.