Anglo Saxon England

Question 1

Time Period?

Answer 1

10th century

Before 1066

Question 2

Context

Answer 2

• 90% rural
• Tight knit communities
• Vulnerable to war, disease, poor harvests
• Very religious
• Strict social structure- Nobles, Freemen, Serfs

Question 3

Religion

Answer 3

• Church has powerful influence
• Owned 1/5 of all wealth in England
• Believed God had the final judgment in all trials

Question 4

Crimes

- anything that threatened social structure

Answer 4

• Against Person —> assault, murder, physical harm
• Against Property —> arson, theft, stealing crops, damaging property
• Against Authority —> treason
• Moral Crimes —> doesn’t match societies view on decent behaviour, sex before marriage, drunkenness, adultery

Question 5

Punishments

Answer 5

• Wergild- accused pays victims family, “man price” was given depending on social status of victim
• Stocks and Pillory- humiliation, stuff thrown at them
• Corporal- maiming, chopping fingers, beating
• Capital - death penalty, treason

Question 6

Law Enforcement

Answer 6

• Trial by ordeal- hot iron, hot water, water- church authorities, innocent or guilty in the eyes of God
• Oath taking- public hearing, public hearing to swear innocence, community could testify to support
• Collective Responsibility- shires>hundreds>tithings, all men 12+ in a tithing responsible for each other
• Shire Reeve- locally appointed, met with 1 man per tithing regularly, took criminals to court + made sure punishments were carried out
• Hue and Cry- witnesses to crimes raised a hue and cry, everyone near was expected to help catch the criminal

Question 7

Role of Authority

Answer 7

• Belief in Kings Peace- king had a duty for law and order
• Communities made up their own laws
• Nobles could advise King on new laws