Case study 1 - the influence of the Church in the 13th century Flashcards
What was Sanctuary?
If someone trying to escape capture could get to a church before being caught, sanctuary could be claimed.
No-one could remove them - they were under the church’s protection
They had 40 days to decide whether to face trial or leave the country
What was Benefit of Clergy?
When someone claimed to have the right to be tried in a church court.
The accused would need to read a verse from the Bible to prove clergy membership (as usually only they could read). This was quickly circumvented when someone would learn to read a verse, which became dubbed the ‘neck verse’ (it could save you from the hangman’s noose)
Why was trial by ordeal used?
If the jury couldn’t reach a verdict, the accuser was subjected to a supposed test from God - e.g. trial by blessed bread
When was trial by ordeal abolished and why?
1215
It was abolished due to being unreliable - ultimately, some innocent people would be found guilty and vice versa; it was based entirely on luck
What was a church court? Who introduced them to England?
A court which was more lenient, where church members would be tried.
No matter what crime was committed, the person couldn’t be sentenced to death
They were introduced by the Normans
