CRIME AND PUNISHMENT Flashcards
What were three categories of crime in Anglo-Saxon England?
-Crimes against the person
-Crimes against property
-Crimes against authority
What were examples of Crimes against the person?
-Insulting a neighbour
-Public Disorder
-Assault
-Rape
-Murder
In order of levels of seriousness
What were examples of Crimes against property?
-Selling poor quality goods
-Petty theft
-Counterfeiting coins
-Poaching
-Arson
In order of seriousness
What were examples of Crimes against authority?
-Betraying your lord
-Rebellion
-Treason
How can the definition of crime change?
What was the biggest change in England?
-By Political and social changes.
-Biggest change was the Norman Conquest of 1066
How did the Norman Conquest Change the Definition of Crime?
-3 Answers
-William I changed the social and legal status of women
-King William I made certain existing crimes more serious: >Murdrum fine
>Forest Laws
How did William I changed the social and legal status of women?
-Anglo-Saxon law treated men and women virtually equally
-Norman law, by contrast, was much harsher on women
How did the murdrum law made certain existing crimes more serious?
-This law applied when an Anglo-Saxon murdered a Norman
-In such an event, the people in the hundred where the body was found had five days to capture the murderer
-If they failed, they had to collectively pay a large fine
How did the Forest Law made certain existing crimes more serious?
-These created hunting grounds for William I, the Norman nobility and those who purchased hunting rights
-Around 30% of England became a ‘royal forest’
Why were the Forest laws so deeply unpopular?
-Farmers and village communities were evicted as land was cleared for Norman hunting and recreation, not farming. This caused resentment among ordinary people.
-In Anglo-Saxon England, people could graze animals, cut trees, and hunt on common land — these rights were taken away under Norman rule.
-Hunting rights became illegal unless bought, but they were too expensive for peasants, so only the rich could hunt legally.
Why is Poaching considered a social crime?
-Many villagers were willing to commit it themselves
-Poachers who were caught would often go unpunished, as villagers generally turned a blind eye to it
Who had responsibiltiy of enforcing law in Anglo Saxon era?
the local community
the Church
What were example of law enforcement in Anglo-Saxon era?
-Tithing
-Hue and cry
-Trials
What was TITHINGS and how did they enforce law
Each shire was divided into hundreds
Each hundred was divided into ten tithings
Members of each tithing monitored each other
If one tithing member broke the law, the others would be responsible for either:
> Taking them to court
> Paying a fine
How did they ensure that the TITHINGS were following the law and being fair?
-One person from each tithing regularly met with the shire reeve
-The shire reeve made sure any punishments were carried out
Why was the TITHINGS effective?
Prevent crime
Emphasise collective responsibility
What was the HUE and CRY and how did they enforce the law?
- Crime commited
- Village stops what they doing when witness or victim raise the hue and cry
- Village chases and catches criminal
4.Villages who refuse to help had to pay a fine
PROMOTED SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
What were trials and how did they enforce law?
2 TYPES OF TRIALS
- Trial by Jury
- Trial bty ordeal
What did the Norman from the anglo saxons to continue to enforce law?
Tithings
The hue and cry
Trial by jury
Trial ordeal
How did the
