Case Study: Church Influence

Question 1

End of trial by ordeal:

Answer 1

1. 1215, the Pope, ordered that priests should stop helping to organise trial by ordeal
2. Came to an end
3. Solution in England was trial by jury.

Question 2

Church courts and the king:

Answer 2

1. C11th William I encouraged the Church to set up courts to deal with moral crimes
2. Late C12th Henry II tried to limit the power of the Church, challenged his authority
3. Statement of the relationships between the Church laws and king’s laws called the Constitution of Clarendon

Question 3

Benefit of the Clergy:

Answer 3

1. Clergy should only be tried in church courts
2. Punishments were usually enforced pilgrimage, confession or apology at mass
3. Open to abuse
4. Tested ability to read Psalm 51
5. Became known as the ‘neck verse’

Question 4

Sanctuary:

Answer 4

1. Claim sanctuary
2. Accused was given a chance to swear and oath agreeing to leave the country in 40 days
3. Outlawed
4. Only ended in 1536, during the reign of Henry VIII.