2.6 Did The Church Help Or Hinder Justice In The Early 13th Century

Question 1

What were church courts? how they they used?

Answer 1

The church claimed the right to try a church man accused of a crime in its own court

Church courts never sentenced anyone to death

They usually dealt with moral offences including not attending church and drunkenness

Question 2

What was the benefit of the clergy?

Answer 2

This was when an accused person claimed the right to be tried in a church court

The church required the accused to read a verse from the bible

However, People learnt the verse by heart

Question 3

What was sanctuary?

Answer 3

If someone on the run from the law could reach a church, they could claim sanctuary

This means that they are under the protection of the church

The accused could either face trial or leave the country

Question 4

Was trial by ordeal effective

Answer 4

Yes - it provided an outcome if a local jury could not reach a verdict

No - it was mainly based on luck so sometimes guilty criminals escapes and innocent people were punished