Laws, Languages and the Church

Question 1

How did laws change after the Conquest?

Answer 1

Some Saxon laws kept

Trial by ordeal and trial by combat used

New laws introduced like Murdrum Fine and harsh Forest Law

Question 1

What was the Murdrum Fine?

Answer 1

-A community had to pay if a Norman was murdered and the killer wasn’t found.

Question 2

What was Forest Law?

Answer 2

• Harsh punishments for hunting in royal forests — even cutting off fingers.

Question 3

What happened to language in government and Church?

Answer 3

-English manuscripts stopped

Latin used in writing

French used by ruling class

Question 4

How did the language change over time?

Answer 4

English and French blended

25% of English vocabulary today is from French

Question 5

What were examples of Norman French vocabulary adopted?

Answer 5

Politics: government, authority

Law: court, jury

Church: priest, parish

Culture: dance, fashion

Food: beef, pork

Question 6

What reforms did William make to the Church?

Answer 6

-Pope’s approval of his rule in 1070

Stigand removed

Thomas of Bayeux made Archbishop

Norman cathedrals built

Old monasteries rebuilt or removed5