Crime, punishment and Law Enforcement in Norman England Flashcards
What and when was the Battle of Hastings?
1066 - William the Conquerer takes over England, increasing the power of the king and the church.
What changed in Crime and Punishment under Norman rule?
Punishment and Law enforcement became more centralized.
Fewer decisions made by local community.
Harsher punishments to boost visible power of the king.
How did William punish rebels who challenged the Normans? What was the aim, method, and result?
Aim: To show his power as King was without limits.
Method: Rebels received extrem punishments for large groups of people who were not directly involved, by burning farmland and killing animals.
Results: 100,000 people died of starvation, and Williams’s power was secured.
What was the feudal system?
A system in which everybody owes money or land to the class above them. King owns all land, gives some to Nobels, makes laws.>
Nobels: Wealthy and powerful. Castles to help them control areas and enforce laws. Supplied king with soldiers and horses for the army in return for land >
Knights: Live on small areas of land given by Nobels. Fight for Nobels and the King. >
Serfs: Own no land - work for Nobels and Knights - very low pay. No say in making the law.
What was a murdrum?
If a murderer was not caught in a Hundred where a body was found then they hundred had to pay a large sum of money. This was a continuity of shared responsibility (Collective responsibility), and financial payment as compensation for a taken life. (a sort of continuity of the Wergild.)
What were forest laws?
William took common land and made it Royal forests. This meant you could only hunt if you could pay hunting fees.
What were foresters?
Men were hired by the king to prevent poaching.
What was poaching?
Illegal hunting on land that belongs to someone else.
What were the punishments for being caught poaching on Royal Forests?
Corporal punishments or hanging - detering punishments.
How was the Forest law viewed by society?
as a social crime.
What is a social crime?
An action that is technically against the law but which most people in society do not disapprove of.
What were outlaws?
Outlaws/waived women were people who ran from punishments. This meant they were no longer protected by the law and could be killed without consequences.
What was the Folville gang?
A group of 50 outlaws, who carried out crimes such as kidnaps, robberies, rapes, attacks, and extortion of money. They were protected from capture by wealthy friends. They are an example of many outlaw gangs.
What was the change and continuity in Norman Punishment and law enforcement?
Continued use of:
-Corporal and capital punishments and fines.
-Kings mund continued the idea of King’s peace.
-Trial by ordeal.
Ended use of:
-Wergild, the money went to the king instead of the victim’s family, which shows a more centralized punishment system.
-Increase in Capital punishment - seen as harsh.
-Alternatives to Capital punishments, branding, and maiming.
What was Trial by Combat?
A new ordeal, used for money disputes., was seen as dignified. It was a fight to the death or until the opponent gives up. Combat was done with swords or wooden sticks.
