Book 2 Crim A Punishment Flashcards
What were common crimes in Anglo-Saxon England?(medieval crime saxons)
Theft, murder, assault, and arson. Most were crimes against the person or property.
What was a tithing(medieval cinema saxons)
group of 10 men responsible for each other’s behavior; if one committed a crime, the others had to bring him to court.
What was a ‘hue and cry’?(medieval crime saxons)
call for help that required everyone in the village to help catch a criminal
What were ‘forest laws’?(new Norman crimes)
Laws introduced by the Normans that made hunting and cutting wood in royal forests illegal without permission.
What is a ‘murdrum fine’?(new Norman crimes)
fine paid by a community if a Norman was found murdered and the killer wasn’t caught.
Why were some Norman laws seen as unfair?(new Norman crimes)
favored the Normans and punished Saxons more harshly, creating tension between the two groups.
Who were ‘shire reeves’?(saxons law enforcement)
Officials appointed to enforce the law in shires; they later became known as sheriffs.
What role did local communities play?(saxons law enforcement)
Communities were expected to police themselves through tithings and hue and cry.
What were trial by ordeal methods?(saxons law enforcement)
Religious trials, e.g. trial by hot iron or water, used when no clear evidence existed.
What new role did sheriffs have in Norman England?(Norman and later medieval law enforcement)
They were responsible for catching criminals and organizing the local court.
What were ‘constables’ and ‘watchmen’?(Norman and later medieval law enforcement)
Local men who helped enforce the law in towns, especially at night.
How did law enforcement change by the later medieval period?
It became more organized with the introduction of Justices of the Peace and more use of royal courts.
What was a common punishment for theft?(medieval punishment)
Mutilation or death, depending on the severity.
What was ‘wergild’?(medieval punishment)
Compensation paid to a victim’s family for murder or injury (used in Anglo-Saxon times).
How did punishments change under the Normans?(medieval punishment)
They became harsher, including execution and corporal punishment to instill fear.
What was ‘benefit of the clergy’?(influence of the church)
right of churchmen to be tried in church courts, which were more lenient.
What was ‘sanctuary’?(influence of the church)
The right to seek refuge in a church to avoid arrest for up to 40 days.
How did the Church influence law and order?
A: It promoted trial by ordeal, set moral laws, and operated its own courts.
