Crime and Punishment in Saxon and Norman England Flashcards
How did William find out about how much he could tax the Anglo-Saxon population?
He ordered a massive survey of the whole country called the Domesday Book in 1085.
What new laws did William introduce to England that tried to stop people from poaching and hunting?
The Forest Laws. These banned ordinary people hunting for animals and finding firewood in the king’s forests. These were hugely unpopular because people felt it was their right to gather wood and hunt in the forests.
How did the status of women change under the Normans?
The status of women in the Anglo-Saxon period had been relatively high, with the opportunity for rights in land ownership, for instance. The Feudal system introduced by the Normans reversed these changes.
What was a ‘Murdrum Fine’?
This was a fine (introduced by the Normans) on the entire local community if a Norman lord was killed and no culprit was convicted - it was designed to protect the Norman rulers.
What new form of ‘trial’ did the Normans introduce?
Trial by combat - the accused had the right to fight the accuser - whomsoever won was right!
What examples can you give of how Norman-French and Anglo-Saxon words make up the English language we use today?
For example, royal, law and pork come from Norman-French words, but king, rules and pig come from Saxon ones.
What was a ‘tithing’ during Anglo-Saxon times?
10 men (over 12 yrs) responsible for each others’ behaviour.
What was the ‘hue and cry’ during Anglo-Saxon times?
Raising the alarm; if people didn’t join in, fines were due!
If the jury felt the accuser was more honest than the accused they would swear an oath called?
Compurgation
What was ‘trial by ordeal’?
A physical test, helped by God, to see if someone was guilty. An example would be having to hold a piece of red-hot metal - if you healed after a few days it meant you were innocent, but if you didn’t you were guilty.
What was ‘wergild’?
Compensation money paid to the victims of crimes or their families.
What aspects of Anglo-Saxon crime and punishment did the Normans keep?
The Normans kept most aspects of Anglo-Saxon crime and punishment, including: tithings. They also kept trial by jury, where 12 ordinary people would decide if a person was guilty or not.
