Crime in medieval England Flashcards
(12 cards)
What was King William I’s goal after the Norman conquest in 1066?
To establish his royal authority over England
What percentage of England became ‘Royal Forest’ under William I?
About 30%
What activities were illegal in the Royal Forests?
- Grazing animals
- Killing wild animals
- Taking wood without a licence
How were the Forest Laws perceived by ordinary people?
Unfair
What was the punishment for rebellion against King William I?
Death penalty for rebels and harsh punishments for non-involved individuals
What was the Murdrum fine?
A large sum of money paid by the hundred where a murdered Norman’s body was found if the murderer was not caught
True or False: The Murdrum fine made murdering a Norman less serious than murdering an Anglo-Saxon.
False
Fill in the blank: The Forest Laws caused resentment as village communities and farms were _______.
evicted from the Royal Forest
What was a significant consequence of William I’s orders during the rebellions?
Estimates suggest that 100,000 people starved to death due to destruction of farmland and animals
What crime did the Anglo-Saxons face harsher punishments for after the Norman invasion?
Betraying their lord and inciting rebellion against the king
Define ‘hundred’ in the context of Anglo-Saxon England.
An area of land
Give three reasons why ordinary people hated the Forest Laws.
- Eviction from land
- Restrictions on hunting rights
- Perception of unfairness
