History GCSE Early Crime and Punishment Y9

Question 1

What is Deterrence in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 1

Punishments aimed to discourage others from committing crimes.

Question 2

What is Reform in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 2

Some punishments aimed to change criminal behaviour.

Question 3

What is Retribution in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 3

Punishment was designed to fit the crime - ‘an eye for an eye.’

Question 4

What is Tithing in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 4

Group of 10 men responsible for each other’s behaviour; collective punishment applied.

Question 5

What is Hue and Cry in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 5

If someone witnessed a crime, they had to shout and call for help. The whole village was expected to chase the criminal.

Question 6

What is Trial by Ordeal in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 6

A religious trial using painful tests to let God decide guilt (e.g., hot iron, cold water).

Question 7

What is Wergild in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 7

Compensation paid to the victim’s family to avoid blood feuds. Set fines for different crimes.

Question 8

What is Trial by Jury in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 8

Local men who knew the accused decided guilt based on their reputation.

Question 9

What was The Role of the Church in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 9

The Church influenced laws and trials - Trial by Ordeal was religious.

Question 10

What was The Community’s Role in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 10

Law enforcement was a communal responsibility - e.g., hue and cry, tithings.

Question 11

What was Law Enforcement like in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 11

No police; local people enforced law via hue and cry and communal trials.

Question 12

What is Capital Punishment in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 12

The death penalty was used, especially for serious crimes like treason.

Question 13

What is Sanctuary in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 13

Criminals could claim protection in a church for 40 days before leaving the country or standing trial.

Question 14

What was Authority like in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 14

Kings had limited control; most law enforcement was local.

Question 15

What were Church Courts in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 15

Priests were tried in Church Courts, often more lenient.

Question 16

What are Minor/Petty Crimes in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 16

Crimes like theft, drunkenness, and minor assaults.

Question 17

What is Poaching in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 17

Not illegal yet - forest laws came later under Norman rule.

Question 18

What are Forest Laws in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 18

Did not exist; all land was available for hunting or grazing.

Question 19

Who were Key People in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 19

Local lords, priests, and communities upheld justice.

Question 20

What was the Use of Corporal Punishment in the Anglo-Saxon context?

Answer 20

Floggings, mutilations used for public shame and deterrence.

Question 21

What happened in 1066 - Norman Conquest?

Answer 21

William the Conqueror took control after the Battle of Hastings.

Question 22

What was the Change in Authority during the Norman period?

Answer 22

The King had more power over law and order, taking it away from local communities.

Question 23

What is the Murdum Fine in the Norman context?

Answer 23

Whole communities fined if a Norman was murdered and the killer not found.

Question 24

What happened to Wergild during the Norman period?

Answer 24

Wergild paid to the King instead of victims’ families.

Question 25

What is Trial by Combat in the Norman context?

Answer 25

A new form of trial by ordeal; accused and accuser fought to the death - God would show who was right.

Question 26

What were Forests and Forest Laws in the Norman context?

Answer 26

Large areas declared 'royal forests'; peasants forbidden to hunt - poaching became a crime.

Question 27

What was The Role of the Church during the Norman period?

Answer 27

Church maintained Church Courts and could try clergy under the Benefit of Clergy.

Question 28

What is the Benefit of the Clergy in the Norman context?

Answer 28

Clergy could escape harsher royal punishments by claiming church trial (reciting Bible verse).

Question 29

What are Royal Courts in the Norman context?

Answer 29

Replaced local courts; King's justices appointed to oversee law.

Question 30

What was the purpose of Castles and Control during the Norman period?

Answer 30

Castles were built to impose Norman authority and intimidate local populations.

Question 31

What was the Use of Capital Punishment in the Norman context?

Answer 31

Increased for deterrence, especially for rebellion and poaching.

Question 32

What was The Role of the King during the Norman period?

Answer 32

The King had ultimate authority over law and punishment.

Question 33

What were Church Courts in the Norman context?

Answer 33

Continued to be more lenient; used for moral and religious offences.

Question 34

What was The Community's Role during the Norman period?

Answer 34

Still some local responsibility (hue and cry), but diminished.

Question 35

How was Rebellion treated as a Crime during the Norman period?

Answer 35

Harshly punished; Harrying of the North showed William's brutal response.

Question 36

What were Punishments like during the Norman period?

Answer 36

Branding, mutilation, executions used frequently to intimidate.

Question 37

Did Trial by Ordeal continue during the Norman period?

Answer 37

Still used under Church influence (e.g., hot iron, cold water).

Question 38

What were Henry II's Legal Reforms in 1154?

Answer 38

Introduced Royal Judges and increased control over law; Church resists this.

Question 39

What was the Church vs. State Power conflict during the Norman period?

Answer 39

Conflict grows between royal and religious authority - seen in Becket's murder.

Question 40

What is the Enduring Influence of Normans?

Answer 40

Centralised law, king's justice, and strict punishments became part of English tradition.