Crime, punishment and law enforcement in Anglo Saxon England

Question 1

What was England’s population in 1000?

Answer 1

1.7 million - 2 million.

Question 2

Where did 90% of the population live in the Anglo-Saxon times?

Answer 2

The country-side.

Question 3

What were the rural communities in the 1000s vulnerable to?

Answer 3

Ware fare, bad weather, bad harvests, and plagues/diseases.

Question 4

Who made the Laws in Anglo Saxon times?

Answer 4

Powerful King and Nobility but also communities and the Church.

Question 5

What were important trends in crime and punishment in Anglo Saxon times?

Answer 5

• Power of the King over crime and punishment grew.
• The Christian Church was concerned with giving opportunities to save the souls of sinners.
• The use of Punishment, especially capital increased, which boosted the visible power of the Monarchy.

Question 6

What is the King’s peace?

Answer 6

It was the King’s duty to take care of law and order, so people could go around their everyday lives knowing they would be safe.

Question 7

What did the growth of towns mean for crime?

Answer 7

More opportunities to commit crimes against the person and property.

Question 8

What was collective responsibility?

Answer 8

it was taking responsibility for members of your community. If a crime was committed everyone in the village must take action to hunt down and prosecute the offender.

Question 9

Who was responsible for stopping moral crimes?

Answer 9

The church was responsible for stopping moral crimes (crimes that didn’t match society’s views of what was acceptable behavior, eg. being homosexual, not believing in God.)

Question 10

What was the role of Religion in deciding guilt and innocence?

Answer 10

• Taking oaths: Calling God as a witness that what was said was true. swearing innocence to god, done publically.
• Trial by Ordeal: Used when there was not enough evidence to convict. The suspect would be tried in the eyes of God.

Question 11

How was murder punished in Anglo Saxon times?

Answer 11

Wergild: “Man price” fine paid to the victim’s family by the murderer.

Question 12

What is Capital Punishment?

Answer 12

Death Penalty.

Question 13

What is corporal punishment?

Answer 13

The punishment that causes pain or harm to the body - beating or maiming.

Question 14

What is Retribution?

Answer 14

Punishment is seen to match the severity of the crime.

Question 15

What is a deterrent?

Answer 15

Frightening/painful punishments, to put people off committing a crime.

Question 16

What was petty theft?

Answer 16

Stealing small, low-value items.

Question 17

What was a King’s Shire reeve?

Answer 17

A man who was appointed locally to bring criminals to justice. The term ‘Shire reeve’ later turned into the word ‘sheriff’.

Question 18

What was a crime against the person?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

What were Crimes against the property?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

What was a Reeve?

Answer 20

A local official, appointed by the community, who carried out decisions made by local courts.