Crime and Punishment - Medieval, c.1000-1500

Question 1

What were the four types of crime that existed since the Anglo-Saxon period (c.1000-1066)?

Answer 1

1. Crimes against the person
2. Crimes against the property
3. Crimes against authority
4. “Moral” crimes

Question 2

Which crimes were introduced in the Norman era (c.1066-1154)?

Answer 2

1. “Killing a Norman”
2. The Forest Laws
3. ‘Social’ crimes, such as poaching

Question 3

Which crimes were introduced in the Medieval era (c.1154-1500)?

Answer 3

1. High Treason. Kings felt more challenged by their people and parliaments
2. Heresy
3. Statute of Labourers

Question 4

When were laws against heresy imposed?

Answer 4

The Medieval era - 1382, 1401, 1414

Question 5

When was the Statute of Labourers passed? What was it and why was it introduced?

Answer 5

1351. This prevented workers from asking their masters for higher wages and moving to a new area to look for work.
      At the time of this law being passed, the Black Death had wiped out a large proportion of the population (30-50%), and so the lower classes were able to ask for higher wages or threaten to work for another master (as they were in need for workers, as many had died).

Question 6

What were the two main types of trial in Anglo-Saxon England?

Answer 6

1. Trial by local jury

2. Trial by ordeal

Question 7

Trials in Norman England?

Answer 7

Trial by local jury

Trial by ordeal

Trial by combat

Question 8

Trials in Medieval England?

Answer 8

Trial by local jury

Trial by combat

Question 9

What was trial by local jury?

Answer 9

A trial where the criminal would be brought in front of a jury of local men which knew both them as well as the accuser. The jury would hear the story of both the accuser and the accused, and then come to a verdict of innocence or guilt. If guilty, they decided the punishment

Question 10

What was trial by ordeal? An example?

Answer 10

A religious way to see if someone was guilty. The person would have to complete an ordeal, and innocence or guilt would be determined by a certain factor. E.g. trial by cold water (someone would be chucked into a pond or lake. The water represented purity; the innocent would be accepted and drown, whilst the guilty would float)

Question 11

What was trial by battle?

Answer 11

The accuser and the accused would fight until one gave in. The person defeated would usually be hanged

Question 12

How were criminals caught in Anglo-Saxon England?

Answer 12

1. Parish constable / shire reeve
2. Hue + Cry
3. Tithing

Question 13

How were criminals caught in Norman England?

Answer 13

Same as Anglo-Saxon England

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1. Sheriff (as opposed to constable - same thing, but more important role)
2. Hue + Cry
3. Tithing
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Question 14

Medieval law enforcement

Answer 14

Travelling justices

Justice of the peace

County coroner

The posse

Town watchmen

Question 15

Who was the parish constable?

Answer 15

Normans. A local official appointed from the community who had to lead the Hue and Cry, was unpaid but could be successful.

Question 16

Who was the sheriff?

Answer 16

Royal officials who had to go after serious criminals (murders ect), had to bring people in front of the royal courts. Could form a posse who could go out to catch criminal.

Question 17

What was a travelling justice?

Answer 17

people given power by the king to hear cases and make judgements on behalf of the king. This made the court system more efficient

Question 18

What was a county coroner?

Answer 18

introduced in 1194, these people investigated unexpected or suspicious deaths

Question 19

What was the posse?

Answer 19

group of men organised by the sheriff to track down criminals (hue and cry still used in smaller communities)

Question 20

What punishments existed in Anglo-Saxon England?

Answer 20

Minor crimes:
Public humiliation
Wergild
Corporal punishment

Major crimes:
Capital punishment

Question 21

What punishments existed in Norman England?

Answer 21

Minor crimes:
Public humiliation
Fines paid to the king (this replaced wergild)
Corporal punishment

Major crimes:
Capital punishment

Question 22

How much of the population lived in villages in the Anglo-Saxon period? What did this mean?

Answer 22

90%. This made the local community extremely important in law enforcement

Question 23

What did the growth of towns in the Medieval period result in? What was needed as a result?

Answer 23

More opportunities for crime in small village communities.

A more centralised approached was needed to deal with crime.

Question 24

What were the main emphases of punishment during this era?

Answer 24

Deterrence and retribution (revenge)

Question 25

What were the two courts used in the Anglo-Saxon era?

Answer 25

Shire-court

Hundred-court

Question 26

Courts during the norman period

Answer 26

Shire-court

Hundred-court

Church court

Question 27

What were Church courts? Benefit of Clergy?

Answer 27

Introduced during Norman period. Anyone could claim benefit of clergy if they could recite the ‘neck verse’, which was a latin verse from the bible. Many people learnt this by heart. Hindered law enforcement as they were much more lenient

Question 28

What were forest laws? What were consequences and why

Answer 28

• Trees couldn’t be cut down
• People who lived near the kings land could not own bow and arrows or dogs
• Hunting of deer was banned, punishment was that two fingers to string a bow would be cut off, Normans wanted to send a message to the Anglo Saxons that this was now their land.

Question 29

How did Normans change fines?

Answer 29

Abolished the system of Wergild and fines were payed to the king. Also introduced murdrum fines, payed to the king.

Question 30

When did Trial and Ordeal end?

Answer 30

1215

Question 31

What was sanctuary?

Answer 31

A criminal could claim sanctuary at the church, and no law enforcement touch them. They had 40 days to either leave the country or stand trial.