Enforcement Flashcards
When was the Wergild?
Anglo Saxon
What was the Wergild and how did it change between Anglo Saxon and Norman times?
The fine became payed to the king rather than to the family of the victim of the crime.
Why was a change made to the Wergild?
To extend the role of the king in the legal system. To raise finances for the King.
What were Tithings?
A group of 10 men who were responsible for monitoring the behaviour of other members of the tithing. Collective responsibility.
What was the hue and cry and why did it continue to work in the Norman period?
Victim would shout that a crime had taken place and the whole community would be responsible fore tracking down the criminal. Most people still lived in small communities and villages where everyone knew each other, so community based systems of enforcement continued to work effectively.
When was trial by combat introduced?
It was introduced by the normans.
What was trial by combat?
Combatants would fight to the death or until one of them gave in - idea was that god had judged the loser to be guilty. It was used to settle disputes over large sums of money or land.
Why was trial by combat introduced by the Normans?
It benefited the Norman lords who were well trained in combat.
When was trial by ordeal?
Anglo Saxon, Norman, Medieval
What was trial by ordeal?
It was a trial overseen by the Church. If the person did not heal it was a sign of their guilt, eg trial by hot iron.
When was trial by ordeal abolished?
1166, as part of the Assizes of Clarendon.
What was benefit of the clergy?
Clergy would have their trials in special Church courts. This guaranteed a more lenient sentence.
When were coroners introduced?
Norman and Medieval. 1194 by Richard I
What were coroners in the Norman and Medieval period?
They investigated suspicious deaths. This provided a more centralised approach.
What period were Assizes?
Norman and Medieval.
What were Assizes?
Royal judges who held royal courts to hear most serious cases of robbery, murder or theft.
When were Assizes introduced?
1166 - as part of the Assizes of Clarendon
Why were the Assizes significant?
They made the system of enforcement more centralised - similar law enforcement in different areas.
What period were Justices of the Peace?
Norman and Medieval
Important people/dates for Justices of the Peace. (3)
Richard 1 appointed knights as keepers of the King’s peace.
Edward 1 extended this to the whole country.
1361 - known as Justices of the Peace and were responsible for enforcing the law. This centralised law enforcement.
When were constables introduced?
Early modern period.
What did constables do in the early modern period?
Oversaw law and order in towns, arrested criminals without needing a warrant and held them until their trial, and were expected to catch criminals and carry out some punishments eg whipping vagabonds.
What era were town watchmen introduced?
Early modern
What did town watchmen do?
Patrolled the town looking for signs of crime to deter criminals. All male householders were expected to serve as night watchmen as unpaid volunteers. They were expected to arrest drunks and vagabonds.
