1000-1500 Medieval England - Norman And Later Medieval Law Enforcement

Question 1

What was continuity

Answer 1

The Anglo-Saxon system of tithings, hue and cry and the court systems continued. Law enforcement in most cases remained the responsibility of the community

Question 2

What was the continuity in Norman law enforcement

Answer 2

The Anglo-Saxon system of tithings, hue and cry and the court systems continued. Law enforcement in most cases remained the responsibility of the community

Question 3

What was the changes in the Norman law enforcement

Answer 3

1) The Norman’s introduced trial by combat as another way of settling disputes - (shows the more military nature of Norman society)
- the two people involved would fight until one was killed or surrendered (would be put to death anyways)
2) the use of foresters to police the royal forests and enforce forest laws
- they dealt with suspects harshly and ere often feared and hated by local communities

Question 4

What did Norman’s build in every part of England + what they represented

Answer 4

Built castles in every part of England
Designed to represent the strong royal authority + help impose law and order

Question 5

What happened as towns grew in the

Question 6

What happened as towns grew in the 13th and 14th centuries

Answer 6

Crime grew - communities were still involved in law enforcement but the authorities became more involved through the appointment of officials

Question 7

What were parish constables

Answer 7

• local people nominated by the community
• unpaid position - constables did their usual jobs too
• held the post for a year

Question 8

What was the continuity’s in the role of local communities

Answer 8

1) the hue and cry system and tithings continued
2) if juries couldn’t reach a verdict, trial by ordeal/combat contiued to be used by communities as informal methods of law enforcement

Question 9

What were the changes of th role of local communities

Answer 9

1) from the 1250s parish constables led the chase for the criminal after the hue and cry was given + they tried to keep the peace and arrested suspects
2) some towns had a night watch - volunteers patrolled the streets and any suspected criminals they caught were handed to the constable
3) trial by ordeal/combat were abolished in 1215

Question 10

What was the changes of the role of the government-appointed officials

Answer 10

1)
- knights were appointed by Richard I as keepers of the peace in some ‘unruly’ areas from 1195-1327.
- Edward II extende this system to all areas
2)
- following the justices of the peace act (1361) the role of keeper of the peace evolved to become Justice of the peace.
- The JPs had the power to hear minor crimes in small courts 4 times a year
- They were still appointed by the monarch and were mostly local lords
3)
- the role of the sheriff expanded
- now expected tp track down criminals of the hue and cry hadn’t worked
- from 1285 he could from a posse of local men to help chase and catch criminals