Case study: the influence of the Church on crime and punishment

Question 1

What factors made the Church so powerful in the Middle Ages?

Answer 1

• They controlled people’s thoughts and actions.
• Clergy (members of the Church) were the most educated people.
• Churches and Cathedrals were the biggest buildings in villages and towns - seen as proof of God’s power on earth.
• A fifth of the countries wealth and one-tenth of all earnings went to the church.
• Held power over the other religions. The 1290s - English Jews were forced to convert to Christianity or be banished.

Question 2

When and Why did Trial by Ordeal end?

Answer 2

1215 - Pope ordered priests to stop organizing Trial by Ordeal, England had found a new deal, trial by Jury.

Question 3

What were Church courts?

Answer 3

In the 11th Century, the Church set up courts to deal with moral crimes. The Church believed that punishments should give criminals a chance to reform and save their souls. They believed punishments motivated by retribution were wrong.

Question 4

What was the “Benefit of the Clergy”?

Answer 4

Members of the Clergy were tried in the church courts which didn’t use the death penalty. This system was corrupt however because anyone could claim to be a member of the Clergy as long as they could read psalm 51 from the bible. It was nicknamed the ‘Neckverse’ because many people just memorized the verse because mainly only the Clergy could read.

Question 5

What was offering Sanctuary?

Answer 5

Some Churches could offer sanctuary to those accused of a crime. The accused was given a chance to swear an oath to leave the country in 40 days. If they did not they would become outlaws.

Question 6

When did Sanctuary end?

Answer 6

1536.