The Middle Ages

Question 1

What was the Murdrum Fine?

Answer 1

The Normans introduced a law that said if a Norman was murdered by an Anglo Saxon and the murderer was not captured, there was a fine payed by the hundred where the body was found. This went directly to the King.

Question 2

What was Trial by Consecrated Bread?

Answer 2

The Priest had to pray and ask that when he ate a piece of Consecrated Bread, the bread would choke him if he lied.

Question 3

What was Trial By Hot Iron?

Answer 3

Trial By Hot Iron was when a suspect was made to hold a piece of Hot Iron, then bandaged, and if the burn healed, this was seen as a a sign that God judged the person innocent.

Question 4

Which Monarch had tried to limit the power of the church in the late 12th Century?

Answer 4

Henry II.

Question 5

Which Monarch had encouraged the church to set up courts to punish moral crimes in the 11th Century?

Answer 5

William I.

Question 6

When did Trial By Ordeal End and why?

Answer 6

Trial By Ordeal ended in 1215. The order came from the Pope who ordered all priests to stop organizing Trials By Ordeal.

Question 7

Who was responsible for enforcing the Law during the Anglo Saxon period?

Answer 7

The Community were responsible for enforcing The Law.

Question 8

Who was responsible for enforcing the Law in the Norman Period?

Answer 8

The Community and growing authority of the King and his officials.

Question 9

Who was responsible for Law Enforcement in the later Medieval Period?

Answer 9

The Community continues to play a key role but increasingly there is a more centralized system for upholding the law including the introduction of JP’s and coroners.

Question 10

Under the Forest Laws, what punishment could be issued for poaching?

Answer 10

Death penalty.

Question 11

What was the benefit of the Clergy?

Answer 11

The idea that members of the Clergy should be tried by Church Courts.

Question 12

What were the main features of the Anglo - Saxon Law and Order?

Answer 12

Hue and Cry, Tithings, Blood Feud, Execution, Trial By Ordeal.

Question 13

Explain why William I changed some laws?

Answer 13

Improve Law and Order, Crime was seen to disturb the King’s Peace, he was religious and hence Trial By Combat was introduced, he loved hunting so Forest Laws were introduced to stop others hunting.

Question 14

Why did William I change some Laws in 1066?

Answer 14

Just conquered the country, didn’t want resistance, reassure the Saxons, he wanted to keep order through fear, he was religious so kept Trials, Crimes were seen to disturb the King’s Peace, increase taxes meant he had more money.

Question 15

Why didn’t William I Change some laws?

Answer 15

Avoid upsetting the Saxons because he needed the cooperation of Saxons. He wanted to be seen a true heir, he was religious so kept Trial By Ordeal.

Question 16

What did the Juries do in the Middle Ages?

Answer 16

Made up of people who knew the accused and the accuser. They decided whether the accused was guilty, and they used their knowledge to decide. They swore and oath called compurgation when they announced their verdict. Ordeal was used if they couldn’t decide.

Question 17

How did medieval kings extend royal justice?

Answer 17

Extended the King’s Peace, travelling justices, country gaols (jails), there were JP’s, constables and coroners.

Question 18

How was the system of Law and Order MORE harsh at the end of the Middle Ages?

Answer 18

The Wergild was replaced by death and mutilation, people could become outlaws if they refused to attend court, an increase in public executions.

Question 19

How was the system of Law and Order LESS harsh at the end of the Middle Ages?

Answer 19

There was the benefit of clergy, stocks and fines used more often, trial by ordeal was dropped, women who were pregnant could not be hanged, rich could buy pardons.

Question 20

What were some changes to the system of Law and Order during the Middle Ages?

Answer 20

Trial By ordeal was abolished, forest laws, king’s law extended, Royal Courts were established, royal judges traveled around the country, JP’s introduced, wergilds, abolished and benefit of clergy introduced.

Question 21

What were some aspects within the system of law and order that stayed the same during the middle ages?

Answer 21

No police force, Hue and cry was still used. Tithings was still used. Juries were still used.

Question 22

Explain what the popular story of Robin Hood tells us about the attitudes towards crime and Punishment?

Answer 22

Unpopularity of Forest Laws - Robin Hood broke those, Corrupt officials from which Hood stole to give to the poor, resistance to the Norman rulers. Breaking the Forest Laws became seen as a social crime in that people were accepting of this type of crime lower down the social hierarchy.

Question 23

List the Different Types of Trials?

Answer 23

Any of the following: Trial By Ordeal: hot iron, hot water, cold water, consecrated bread (priests only), and later Trial By Combat.

Question 24

What significant new punishment was introduced in the later Middle Ages for the crime of High Treason?

Answer 24

A person convicted of High Treason would be sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered.

Question 25

In what years were laws against Heresy introduced and why?

Answer 25

Laws against Heresy were introduced in 1382, 1401 and 1414. The main reasons for this was because some people, for example the Lollard’s, wanted the Church to be reformed, disagreed with the sacrament of bread and wine and wanted the Bible translated into English. The clergy felt undermined and threatened by these ideas and medieval kings had to support the Church against reformers.

Question 26

What is meant by ‘Offering Sanctuary?’

Answer 26

Some Churches offered sanctuary to people accused of crimes. Sanctuary was not offered in all churches, just some that were considered particularly important - perhaps because the church was linked with an important religious event or pilgrimage. A person who claimed sanctuary could go to one of these churches and if the clergy agreed, the accused was given the chance to swear and oath agreeing to leave the country within 40 days instead of going to court. Anyone who didn’t leave within the specified time period was outlawed.