Crime And Punishment Later Middle Ages

Question 1

Statute of labourers

Answer 1

Post-black death peasants demand higher wages
1351 - law passed by Parliament - max wage + illegal to move for better pay
Laws introduced to protect ruling class at the expense of peasants

Question 2

Crime changes

Answer 2

Parliament had a say in what was a crime
Laws against heresy introduced in 1382, 1401, 1414
King backed heresy as church kept people in order
Introduced high treason

Question 3

Case study: Church

Answer 3

1215 - Pope orders priests to stop helping organise trial by ordeals
Henry tries to limit church’s power as separate church courts undermined his attempts for centralised crime system
Church courts focused on rehabilitation instead of deterrent or retribution
Benefit of clergy - church members only trialed in Church courts
Prove u were clergy by reciting psalm 51 - people would just memorise
Can ask clergy for Sanctuary, swear an oath to leave country within 40 days or be outlawed

Question 4

New punishments

Answer 4

Heresy - burning at the stake

High treason - hung, drawn and quartered

Question 5

Centralised crime system

Answer 5

1166 - Henry II set up prisons to hold people awaiting trials
Reorganisation of courts
Royal judges to visit country twice a year to hear most serious cases. Increased role of King in legal matters and centralised control over court system
Justices of the peace - good and lawful men who met up 4 times a year - first set up in 1361
1195 - Richard I appoints knight as King’s peace to maintain law and order in unrest areas
1327 - Edwards extends system to all areas