Middle Ages Flashcards
(8 cards)
What type of Criminal Activity was most common in England during the Middle Ages?
Most crime was petty theft- the stealing of money, food and belongings. Violent crimes against people were just a small minority of cases.
What methods were used to enforce the law?
- Hue and Cry
- Tithings
- Trial by ordeal
- Parish Constables
- Coroners and Sheriffs
What methods were used to punish criminals?
- Compensation
- Wergild
- By 1100 punishments were more about Retribution and deterrence with executions Corporal punishments used more frequently.
What methods did the Anglo - Saxons use to keep law and order?
- Tithings
- Hue and Cry
- Trial by local jury
- Trial by ordeal
- Wergild
- Capital and corporal punishment
What changes did the Normans introduce in England to keep law and order?
Murdrum fine (if a Norman was killed all the people of the local community had to join together and pay an expensive crime.)
Forest Laws ( Trees could no longer be cut down, people in the forest were forbidden to have bows and arrows, people hunting deer were punished by having two of their fingers cut off.)
Trial of Combat - The accuser fighting the accused.
William needed Wergild (Instead William ordered the fines should be paid to the King.)
Norman Law was much tougher on Women.
Introduction of church courts that were more lenient on churchmen.
What changes were made to trials in 1215?
The trial or ordeal was ended by Pope III in 1215.
What was the difference between and a church court and an ordinary court?
In a church court people could never be sentenced to death, no matter how serious the crime. Church courts also dealt with moral offences including failure to attend church, drunkenness, adultery and playing football on a Sunday.
What happened once a criminal reached a Sanctuary?
Once a criminal reached Sanctuary they were under the protection of the church. Even the country sheriff could not remove them by force. The criminal then had 40 days to decide to face trial or leave the country.
