c1000-1500 Crime And Punishment- Medieval England Flashcards
(117 cards)
What does the medieval period cover?
The end of the Anglo-Saxon era, Norman England and Later Medieval England
What actions have always been crimes?
(Medieval England)
Theft and murder
What makes something a crime?
A crime is a activity that breaks the law.
In the Anglo-Saxon era who made the laws?
People with power and wealth
Name 4 crimes against the person
•Murder
•Assult
•Public Disorder
•Rape
Name 3 crimes against property
•Arson
•Theft
•Counterfeiting coins
Name 2 Crimes against authority
•Treason
•Rebellion
By 1000, Anglo Saxon kings were issuing codes of law that made certain actions crimes, what did this mean?
Laws were becoming more unified across the country
After 1066 the importance of the king making laws decreased/increased as his authority increased
Increased*
William I added new laws that created new crimes, illustrating that a powerful king can lead to ______?
Change*
When did Henry II become king?
1154
What happened in 1154?
Standard laws were written down, there was now a uniform legal system across the whole country
Other than the king, what other huge authority was there in defining criminal activity?
The Church
Whats poaching?
Hunting wild animals on other peoples land without paying hunting rights.
What form of theft increased dramatically after the forest laws?
Poaching, peasants used what used to be “common land” to catch animals for food
Was poaching a social crime? If so why? If not why not?
Yes it was a social crime because it was considered acceptable for many people and helped people survive
What did reducing the amount of common land mean?
People had to now choose weather to break the law or go hungry
When was the Norman conquest?
1066
What are some of the ‘new’ crimes King William I added to the Anglo -Saxon ones?
Rebellion, Forest laws and the murdrum fine
How much of England was royal forest?
30%
Who could use the royal forest?
William I and the nobles (For hunting)
Who was evicted from the land (royal forests)?
Village communities and farms, this caused resentment
How did William I protect the royal forests?
With the New forest laws
Only those who payed ________ were allowed to hunt in the royal forests
Hunting rights*