Early Middle Ages Flashcards
Was the Anglo-Saxons violent?
Yes, they used the blood feud this was where the victims or victims family had the right to get revenge against an accused person or a member o the accused family
How long was the Early Middle Ages(Anglo-Saxons)?
400-1000
What happened in the 700s?
There was seven main kingdoms in England-each had their own laws, there wasn’t a single legal code for the whole p the United Kingdom
What did they do to prevent violence?
Saxon kings tried to reduce violence. They replaced the blood-feud with payments made by the accused to the wronged person or his family - the wergeld as compensation for death and the botgeld for injury
What was the law enforcement in the Early Middle Ages?
All men belonged to a ‘tithing’ (a group of ten men over
the age of twelve) and were responsible for any crime committed by another member. The tithing was responsible for raising the ‘hue and cry’ and arresting criminals (although victims had to find the criminals themselves first).
What were the trials?
Guilt was decided by trial by jury. The victim and the accused presented their case to the jury. The jury was usually made up of local villagers who would know both
people. Jurors took an oath. By 1000 there was a system of courts in England. The Royal Courts and Shire Courts dealt with serious crimes & the Hundred Courts met monthly to deal with less serious cases
What happened if they couldn’t think of a verdict?
The church was growing in influence so when a jury failed to reach a verdict the accused had to face trial by ordeal. Trial by ordeal was based on superstition – God would reveal the innocence or guilt of those accused. Trial by ordeal was also introduced to try priests accused of a crime. Priests took trial by consecrated (holy) bread.
What was an outlaw?
An accused person who did not come to court became an outlaw. Outlaws did not have the protection of the law and could be killed.
Was prison used?
Prisons were only used to hold accused people before trial. They were not used for imprisonment because they were too expensive.
