Crime and punishment 1000-1500

Question 1

What period does the topic of crime and punishment in Britain cover?

Answer 1

c1000-c1500

Question 2

True or False: The legal system in Britain during c1000-c1500 was uniform across all regions.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

What was the primary punishment for serious crimes in medieval Britain?

Answer 3

Death

Question 4

Fill in the blank: In the early medieval period, the _______ system was commonly used to settle disputes.

Answer 4

Wergild

Question 5

What was wergild?

Answer 5

A system of compensatory payment to the family of a victim.

Question 6

What type of crimes were punishable by hanging?

Answer 6

Serious crimes such as murder and treason.

Question 7

Multiple Choice: Which of the following was NOT a common punishment in medieval Britain? A) Fines B) Imprisonment C) Community service D) Branding

Answer 7

C) Community service

Question 8

What role did the church play in medieval justice?

Answer 8

The church often provided a separate legal system and could offer sanctuary.

Question 9

True or False: Trial by ordeal was a common practice in medieval Britain.

Answer 9

True

Question 10

What was trial by ordeal?

Answer 10

A method of justice where the accused underwent painful tests to prove innocence.

Question 11

Fill in the blank: The _______ Act of 1215 aimed to limit the powers of the king in judicial matters.

Answer 11

Magna Carta

Question 12

What was the significance of the Magna Carta?

Answer 12

It established the principle that everyone, including the king, was subject to the law.

Question 13

Multiple Choice: Which crime would most likely result in a fine rather than execution? A) Theft B) Murder C) Treason D) Arson

Answer 13

A) Theft

Question 14

Who were the ‘tithings’ in medieval Britain?

Answer 14

Groups of ten men responsible for each other’s behavior and reporting crimes.

Question 15

True or False: The concept of a jury was fully developed in Britain by 1500.

Answer 15

False

Question 16

What was the primary purpose of the Justices of the Peace (JPs)?

Answer 16

To maintain law and order at a local level.

Question 17

Fill in the blank: The _______ was a tax introduced to fund the king’s wars, which led to increased crime.

Answer 17

Poll tax

Question 18

What was the role of the constable in medieval towns?

Answer 18

To oversee law enforcement and maintain order.

Question 19

Multiple Choice: Which of the following was a common form of punishment for petty crimes? A) Exile B) Whipping C) Imprisonment D) All of the above

Answer 19

D) All of the above

Question 20

What was a common method of execution for women accused of witchcraft?

Answer 20

Burning at the stake.

Question 21

True or False: Corporal punishment was rare in medieval Britain.

Answer 21

False

Question 22

What was the ‘hue and cry’?

Answer 22

A public call for assistance in capturing a criminal.

Question 23

Fill in the blank: The _______ was a medieval form of communal punishment involving public humiliation.

Answer 23

Stocks

Question 24

What changes occurred in the legal system after the Black Death?

Answer 24

Increased emphasis on law enforcement and changes in punishment due to labor shortages.

Question 25

Multiple Choice: Which of the following offenses was typically tried in ecclesiastical courts? A) Theft B) Murder C) Heresy D) Assault

Answer 25

C) Heresy

Question 26

What were 'coroners' responsible for in medieval Britain?

Answer 26

Investigating suspicious deaths and determining cause of death.

Question 27

True or False: Punishments were often designed to be deterrents to crime.

Answer 27

True

Question 28

What is 'scold's bridle'?

Answer 28

A punishment device used for women accused of gossiping or being a nuisance.

Question 29

Fill in the blank: The _______ was a legal document that outlined the rights of individuals and was a significant step towards modern law.

Answer 29

Magna Carta

Question 30

What were 'vagrants' often subjected to in medieval society?

Answer 30

Severe penalties including imprisonment or transportation.

Question 31

Multiple Choice: Which of the following was a form of punishment for those convicted of theft? A) Imprisonment B) Fines C) Branding D) All of the above

Answer 31

D) All of the above

Question 32

What was the significance of the Statute of Winchester (1285)?

Answer 32

It established measures for local law enforcement and the responsibilities of citizens.

Question 33

True or False: The punishment for treason was often more lenient than for theft.

Answer 33

False

Question 34

What was a 'gaol'?

Answer 34

A jail or prison used to detain individuals awaiting trial or punishment.

Question 35

Fill in the blank: The _______ was a common method of execution for traitors and involved hanging and disemboweling.

Answer 35

Hanging

Question 36

What was the role of the 'Sheriff' in medieval Britain?

Answer 36

To enforce the law and manage the administration of justice in a county.

Question 37

Multiple Choice: Which of the following was a common form of punishment for a second offense of petty theft? A) Execution B) Imprisonment C) Fines D) Community service

Answer 37

B) Imprisonment

Question 38

True or False: Ordinary citizens had no role in the justice system during c1000-c1500.

Answer 38

False

Question 39

What was the purpose of the 'pillory'?

Answer 39

To publicly shame and punish offenders.

Question 40

Fill in the blank: The _______ was a punishment that involved being confined to a specific area or location.

Answer 40

House arrest

Question 41

What were 'common law' courts established for?

Answer 41

To standardize laws and punishments across different regions.

Question 42

Multiple Choice: Which of the following crimes was often punished by exile? A) Theft B) Murder C) Treason D) Arson

Answer 42

C) Treason

Question 43

What was the significance of the 'Assize of Clarendon' in 1166?

Answer 43

It established a system of juries and formalized the legal process.

Question 44

What is Wergild?

Answer 44

Fine paid to the victim's family, usually for murder ## Footnote Wergild was a system of compensation for wrongs committed, particularly in the case of murder.

Question 45

What does capital punishment refer to?

Answer 45

Death penalty, usually for treason or arson ## Footnote Capital punishment was a severe penalty reserved for the most serious crimes.

Question 46

Define corporal punishment.

Answer 46

Physically hurting the criminal e.g. mutilation ## Footnote Corporal punishment was often used as a deterrent and a means of retribution.

Question 47

What were stocks and pillory used for?

Answer 47

Humiliating public punishment, used for drunkenness or public disorder ## Footnote Stocks and pillories served as a public spectacle to shame offenders.

Question 48

What was a key belief regarding community and order in the Middle Ages?

Answer 48

Community had a role in keeping order ## Footnote This belief emphasized collective responsibility for maintaining peace.

Question 49

Who was considered the ultimate judge in Medieval beliefs?

Answer 49

God ## Footnote This belief influenced many aspects of law and punishment during the period.

Question 50

How did social status affect punishment in the Middle Ages?

Answer 50

Social status of criminal and victim influences punishment ## Footnote Higher social status could lead to more lenient punishments.

Question 51

What was the punishment for treason in 1351?

Answer 51

To be hung, drawn and quartered ## Footnote This was one of the most severe forms of execution.

Question 52

What was the purpose of claiming sanctuary at a church?

Answer 52

Protected from local law enforcement for 40 days ## Footnote After 40 days, the individual could leave the country or face trial.

Question 53

What was the Hue & Cry?

Answer 53

Shouting for help if witnessing a crime, anyone who heard was required to chase the criminal ## Footnote This was a form of community policing in Medieval times.

Question 54

What are tithings?

Answer 54

All men were put into tithings and were responsible for ensuring no one in the group committed crimes ## Footnote This system created accountability within communities.

Question 55

Who came to power after the Battle of Hastings in 1066?

Answer 55

William the Conqueror ## Footnote His reign marked significant changes in English law and governance.

Question 56

What crime was associated with royal forests declared by William?

Answer 56

Poaching ## Footnote Hunting on royal land without permission was heavily penalized.

Question 57

What was trial by ordeal?

Answer 57

The accused criminal subject to final trial to allow God to have final verdict ## Footnote This method was based on the belief that divine intervention would reveal innocence or guilt.

Question 58

Who ended the practice of trial by ordeal in 1215?

Answer 58

Pope Innocent II ## Footnote His decree marked a shift towards more rational methods of justice.

Question 59

What was the impact of centralized law during the Medieval period?

Answer 59

Law was now centralised rather than managed in local communities ## Footnote This change allowed for more uniformity in the application of justice.

Question 60

What did the benefit of the clergy allow?

Answer 60

Claiming to be a churchman to be tried in more lenient church courts ## Footnote This privilege was often exploited by those of higher social standing.

Question 61

What was one reason William built many castles?

Answer 61

To assert power and intimidate people out of committing crime ## Footnote Castles served both as fortifications and symbols of authority.

Question 62

How did William consolidate his authority regarding punishments?

Answer 62

Made punishments harsher, execution was now used more often ## Footnote This approach aimed to deter crime and reinforce his control.