medieval period - law enforcement Flashcards
What were the methods of community law enforcement?
Tithings and the hue and cry.
what were tithings?
Where mean over 12 join a group of 10 men who are all responsible for each other. If one committed a crime, the others had to report it or be punished themselves.
What was the hue and cry?
When a crime was committed, villagers had to raise an alarm. Then all villagers must drop what they are doing and search for criminal. If not they are fined.
What was meant by trial by ordeal?
If the jury could not decide they would turn to God to decide who was guilty.
What trials by ordeal did the anglo saxons have?
Trial by cold water, trial by blessed bread, trial by cold water.
What was trial by cold water?
The accused would be tied up and lowered into water, they were found guilty if they floated, as they believed the water had rejected them.
What was trial by blessed bread?
The accused would eat bread and if they did this without chocking then they were innocent.
What was trial by hot water?
The accused would out their hand into boiling water to pick up an item. After 3 days if they were beginning to heal they were seen as innocent.
What was trial by Jury?
The Jury was made up men from the tithing who knew both the accused and the accuser. If they failed to reach verdict the accused would undergo trial by ordeal.
