Key Words 1 Flashcards
(19 cards)
Anglo-Saxon
A period of British history after the withdrawal of roman rule in the 5th century AD through to the Norman conquest in 1066. 800-1066
Botgeld
A system in Anglo-Saxon England based on the payment of money as compensation for injury to another person. Each part of the body had a different monetary fine.
Hue and cry
The hunt for criminal. The alarm would be sounded by loud shouts. This method for catching criminals continues into the Middle Ages.
Hundred
A small area, based on 100 peasant farms. By 1000AD, there was a system of courts in each hundred, covering the whole of England, dealing with less serious cases. All freemen had to attend these local courts, which met every month. (Shire divided into hundreds)
Justice of peace
An unpaid judge who presided over cases involving less serious crimes.
Laws
Rules made by parliament that must be obeyed by the citizens of a country. If you break a law you will be punished accordingly.
Manor courts
Dealt with ordinary villagers in the countryside and made them keep the rules set by the up by the local landowners. Criminals tried in the manor houses in front of the justice of peace.
Norman conquest
Defeat of Harold Godwinson by William of Normandy at the battle of Hastings in 1066 and the end of Anglo-Saxon rule in Britain.
Punishment
Inflicting a penalty on someone who has committed a crime.
Rebellion
Raising up against a ruler; defiance of authority. Going against something you don’t believe in. E.g gunpowder plot.
Rights of sanctuary
A criminal who could get to the sanctuary of a church could not be arrested. If he confessed he would be allowed to leave the country.
Sherriff
Responsible for keeping peace within a shire/ county.
Shire
A term for the division of land in Britain now referred to as a county.
Stocks
A form of punishment where the person is restrained, usually at wrists or ankles, in a public place where they can be humiliated.
Tithing
Every man over the age of 12 was part of a group of 10 men who were responsible for each other’s behaviour. If one broke the law the rest would bring him to court or pay a fine. (A group of men in the local area in charge of stopping crime. Hundred divided into tithing)
Town watchman
Responsible for law enforcement in certain towns. Early form of police.
Trial by jury
A trial where the verdict is decided by a group of people (usually 12) rather then by the judge alone.
Trial by ordeal
Anglo-Saxon law used this: gods judgement was revealed by priests after a hot water ordeal (putting arm into boiling water) or ordeal by fire (walk 3 steps holding red hot iron).
Wergild
A system in Anglo-Saxon England based on the payment of money as compensation To the family of the victim. Wergild was paid if someone was killed or murdered.
