CHAPTER 1 Flashcards
Describe crimes against the person in the medieval period
Crimes, like assault or murder, that cause physical harm to another person
Describe crimes against property in the medieval period
Crimes, like theft, robbery and arson, that involve taking or damaging something that belongs to another person
Describe crimes against authority in the medieval period
Crimes, like starting a fight with a noble, to treason
Describe how and why poaching was classed as a social crime
poaching was classed as a social crime because although they were a action against the law most people in society do not disprove of it.
What was the rule of Murdrum?
If a Norman was murdered by an Anglo-Saxon and the murderer wasn’t captured, there was a special large some of money needed to be paid by the hundred where the body was found. This was called the Murdrum fine
Explain the Forest Laws
Forest Laws meant that Land that had previously been free for peasants to hunt in now belongs to the king as his royal hunting grounds. It was strictly forbidden to hunt there.
What was the role of the authorities and local communities in law enforcement in Anglo-Saxon England, Norman and later medieval England?
During the time of the Anglo-Saxons the role of the local community in policing the behavior of others was very important. The final judge would be God
Describe the role of the community in Anglo-Saxon and Norman England
During the Anglo-Saxon era English shires were divided into smaller areas called hundreds. Each hundred was divided into ten tithings. All men above the age of 12 were responsible for the behavior of all the others
Any one who witnessed a crime could raise the Hue and cry (shouting for help) anyone who heard it was expected to help.
Define Capital punishment
The death penalty
Define Corporal punishment
A range of punishments that caused harm or pain to the body
Define the Wergild
Wergild was a form of a fine where the killer had to pay a fine to the family. The price depended on the rank of the person killed
What influence did the church have on crime and punishment in the early 13th century?
Throughout the period 1000-1500 the church was extremely powerful. It controlled people thoughts and actions. It also influenced the change and continuity in crime and punishment
Explain what trial by ordeal was
In cases where their was not enough evidence to prove that a person was guilty. The accused could be tried by Trial By Ordeal. Which Included trial by hot iron, hot water or cold water
Explain what changes and continuations were made by the Normans to Trial By Ordeal made by the Normans
The Normans Kept everything the same but added Trial By Combat where the accused had to fight the accuser to the death.
What was the Benefit Of Clergy and how significant was it?
The Benefit of Clergy was a method of being tried in church for a crime. This was made for members of the clergy (church).
However the system was exploited as criminals claimed to be members and got away. The main way of being tried was to memorise a verse from the bible, if done successfully you live
What was Offering Sanctuary and how significant was it?
Some churches offered sanctuary. A person who was accused of a crime would go to the clergy and ask for a sanctuary. If approved the accused would be given 40 days to leave the country and not be tried in court.
What was heresy?
Heresy was going against the churches beliefs introduced in 1382. Punishments for heresy were severe
Who were coroners and justices of the peace
introduced in 1194 Coroners were the investigators of the king. When there was a suspicious death coroners were sent to investigate.
The justices of the peace introduced in 1195 Richard I appointed some knights as keepers of the kings peace
What year was the murdrum fine introduced?
1072
What year was the Forrest laws introduced?
1072
When was the Domesday book made?
1086
When were coroners introduced?
1194
When did Trial by ordeal end?
1215
What were the prices of Wergild for each rank?
Prince-1500 shillings
Farmer-100 shillings
Serf-40 shillings
How many people died during Williams reign between 1066 and 1087 as a punishment for the rebellions?
100,000 people
Explain the Continuity and change in Norman punishments?
The system of Wergild was stopped and all fines were paid to the king
Their was also an increase in crimes that were punishable by death
Explain the Continuity and changes to Norman law enforcement?
Their was a continuation in the collective responsibility in the local community (hue and cry and tithings)
Changes included an increased role for the government and a more centralised legal system. As well as a new type of trial by ordeal was introduced, Trial by combat
Explain the power of the church in the middle ages?
Through out the period 1000-1500 the church was an extremely powerful institution which controlled peoples thoughts and actions.
When did Henry the VIII become king of England
1485
What were the Outlaws of the forest
Any man aged 14 and over, who tried running from the Law was declared an outlaw. After they ran they also lost protection from the law
What was the impact of Henry II
-He introduced important reforms to crime and punishment
-In 1166 he reorganised courts and set up prisons for those who were accused and waiting for trial
-Henry II ordered royal judges who travelled to different countries and judged the most serious crimes, which made Henry more involved in legal matters.
What were the Changes and continuations in crime in the middle ages
An increase in population meant that there were more opportunities for crime. Towns like London was estimated to be at 30,000
What were the Changes and continuations in Law enforcement in the middle ages
Change
-A more centralised approach was used and the role of the government increased. There was a shift away from local communities dealing with crimes in their area towards a system ran by government officials
Continuation
-However older approaches remained in use too: For less serious crimes elements of old Anglo-Saxon practices continues at a local level. e.g. when people failed to carry out tasks for the nobles, then the local official would act as a constables
What were the punishments like in the later middle ages
A new punishment was introduced for high treason. it was called hung, drawn and quartered. The parts of the body was placed around the country as a deterrent as well.
What was Law and order like in the later middle ages
The hue and cry was kept with some changes. Townspeople were still meant to play their part in apprehending offenders.
What was England’s population in 1000
between 1,700,000 - 2,00,000 90% of people lived in the country side
What was the Statute of Labourers
The Black death killed one third of the population in 1348, resulting in fewer peasant workers. Which allowed the peasant workers to demand for higher wages. The Statute of Labourers was passed in 1351 where there was a limit for the maximum wage a worker can get
