c.1000-c.1500: Medieval England

Question 1

Crimes against the person

Answer 1

Murder, Assault, Public disorder, Rape

Question 2

Crimes against property

Answer 2

Arson, Theft, Counterfeiting coins

Question 3

Crimes against Authority

Answer 3

Treason, Rebellion

Question 4

Lawmaker

Answer 4

The people, church and King -> The King and the church

Question 5

New Norman laws

Answer 5

Forest Laws, Murdrum fine

Question 6

Forest Laws

Answer 6

Only those with hunting rights could hunt in royal forests. In royal forests illegal to graze animals, kill wild animals, or take wood without license. Seen as unfair.

Question 7

Royal forests

Answer 7

30% of England became royal forest: Village communities and farms evicted off this land, Protected by forest laws.

Question 8

Murdrum fine

Answer 8

If Anglo-Saxon killed a Norman and culprit wasn’t caught: large sum of money payed by hundred where the body was found.

Question 9

Effects of new Norman Laws

Answer 9

More rebellions from the recently downtrodden Anglo-saxons.

Question 10

Anglo-Saxon society

Answer 10

Around 1000 most people lived in small hamlets, farms, villages, and small towns allowing everyone to know everyone else.

Question 11

Tithings

Answer 11

Shires split into areas called hundreds and each hundred into 10 tithings and everyone in a tithing was responsible for one another so if someone committed a crime they would be given to the shire reeve by their tithing

Question 12

Hue and Cry

Answer 12

Victim or witness to a crime raises a hue and cry by shouting or alerting others and anyone who heard was to chase after the criminal

Question 13

Courts

Answer 13

If suspect didn’t admit to the crime or caught in the act guilt had to be decided by a court. Royal and national courts were for severe crimes, Shire courts lesser crimes, and hundred courts petty crimes. Court hearings were in public

Question 14

Oaths

Answer 14

Swearing oaths was a major part of Anglo-Saxon justice, accused could swear an oath of innocence and others could support as oath helpers.

Question 15

Deciding guilt or innocence

Answer 15

Victim or their family presents evidence and if jury cannot decide suspect handed to church for trial by ordeal.

Question 16

Anglo-Saxon -> Norman law enforcement continuity

Answer 16

Tithings, hue and cry, court system, Law enforcement responsibility of community

Question 17

Anglo-Saxon -> Norman law enforcement change

Answer 17

Added trial by combat and foresters used to police royal forests and enforce forest laws.

Question 18

Trial by combat

Answer 18

Way of settling disputes, two people involved would fight until one was killed or surrendered (then executed)

Question 19

Norman -> Later medieval law enforcement continuity

Answer 19

hue and cry, trial by ordeal and combat continued informally.

Question 20

Norman -> Later medieval law enforcement changes

Answer 20

Parish constables, Night watch, Trial by ordeal and combat abolished 1215, Knights, Justices of the peace, Sheriff role expanded.

Question 21

Parish constables

Answer 21

Led chase after hue and cry raised, tried to keep the peace and arrested suspects

Question 22

Night watch

Answer 22

Volunteers who patrolled the streets, any suspected criminals handed to parish constable

Question 23

Knights

Answer 23

Richard I appointed them as keepers of the peace in some ‘unruly’ areas 1195. Edward II extended this to all areas 1327.

Question 24

Justices of the peace

Answer 24

1361, Had power to hear minor crimes in small courts four times a year appointed by monarch and mostly local lords.

Question 25

Sheriff later medieval changes

Answer 25

Now expected to track down criminals if hue and cry failed, from 1285 allowed to form a posse of local men to help chase and catch criminals

Question 26

Anglo-Saxon punishment

Answer 26

Fines and compensation most common, fine for murder called wergild paid to the family of victim. corporal punishments common but capital punishments rare.

Question 27

Norman punishment

Answer 27

Capital and Corporate punishments rise, Breaking forest laws punished harshly, fines paid to king, Minor crimes punished by fines, whipping, or stocks.

Question 28

Later medieval punishments

Answer 28

Capital punishments decrease though crimes against person is still punished harshly, corporal punishments widely used though usually on repeat offenders, Fines more common.

Question 29

Benefit of clergy

Answer 29

If someone could read a passage of the bible they could be tried in a church court which gave nicer punishments

Question 30

Trial by ordeal

Answer 30

• Trial by hot water or iron: if person healed well innocent.
• Trial by water: if person sank innocent.
• Trial by consecrated bread: for priests if they choked guilty.