CHAPTER 1

Question 1

Describe crimes against the person in the medieval period

Answer 1

Crimes, like assault or murder, that cause physical harm to another person

Question 2

Describe crimes against property in the medieval period

Answer 2

Crimes, like theft, robbery and arson, that involve taking or damaging something that belongs to another person

Question 3

Describe crimes against authority in the medieval period

Answer 3

Crimes, like starting a fight with a noble, to treason

Question 4

Describe how and why poaching was classed as a social crime

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

What was the rule of Murdrum?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Explain the Forest Laws

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

What was the role of the authorities and local communities in law enforcement in Anglo-Saxon England, Norman and later medieval England?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Describe the role of the community in Anglo-Saxon and Norman England

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Define Capital punishment

Answer 9

The death penalty

Question 10

Define Corporal punishment

Answer 10

A range of punishments that caused harm or pain to the body

Question 11

Define the Wergild

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What influence did the church have on crime and punishment in the early 13th century?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Explain what trial by ordeal was

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Explain what changes and continuations were made by the Normans to Trial By Ordeal made by the Normans

Answer 14

The Normans Kept everything the same but added Trial By Combat where the accused had to fight the accuser to the death.

Question 15

What was the Benefit Of Clergy and how significant was it?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

What was Offering Sanctuary and how significant was it?

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

What was heresy?

Answer 17

Heresy was going against the churches beliefs introduced in 1382. Punishments for heresy were severe

Question 18

Who were coroners and justices of the peace

Answer 18

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

Question 19

What year was the murdrum fine introduced?

Answer 19

1072

Question 20

What year was the Forrest laws introduced?

Answer 20

1072

Question 21

When was the Domesday book made?

Answer 21

1086

Question 22

When were coroners introduced?

Answer 22

1194

Question 23

When did Trial by ordeal end?

Answer 23

1215

Question 24

What were the prices of Wergild for each rank?

Answer 24

Prince-1500 shillings
Farmer-100 shillings
Serf-40 shillings

Question 25

How many people died during Williams reign between 1066 and 1087 as a punishment for the rebellions?

Answer 25

100,000 people

Question 26

Explain the Continuity and change in Norman punishments?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Explain the Continuity and changes to Norman law enforcement?

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Explain the power of the church in the middle ages?

Answer 28

Through out the period 1000-1500 the church was an extremely powerful institution which controlled peoples thoughts and actions.

Question 29

When did Henry the VIII become king of England

Answer 29

1485

Question 30

What were the Outlaws of the forest

Answer 30

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

Question 31

What was the impact of Henry II

Answer 31

-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.

Question 32

What were the Changes and continuations in crime in the middle ages

Answer 32

An increase in population meant that there were more opportunities for crime. Towns like London was estimated to be at 30,000

Question 33

What were the Changes and continuations in Law enforcement in the middle ages

Answer 33

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

Question 34

What were the punishments like in the later middle ages

Answer 34

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.

Question 35

What was Law and order like in the later middle ages

Answer 35

The hue and cry was kept with some changes. Townspeople were still meant to play their part in apprehending offenders.

Question 36

What was England’s population in 1000

Answer 36

between 1,700,000 - 2,00,000 90% of people lived in the country side

Question 37

What was the Statute of Labourers

Answer 37

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