Laws, Language and the church

Question 1

The Saxons used ‘trial by ordeal’, what does that mean?

Answer 1

They made the accused hold a red hot iron or put their hand in boiling water. If they healed it was a sign from God that they were innocent

Question 2

The Normans added ‘trial by combat’, what does this mean?

Answer 2

This was a sword fight between the accused and the accuser. It was believed that God would intervene to decide the winner

Question 3

What 2 new laws the Normans introduced which were unpopular with the English?

Answer 3

• If a Norman was murdered, the local community gad to pay an enormous fine called the Murdrum until the murderer was found
• William created royal forests for him to hunt in. There were harsh punishments for anyone who hunted in these forests

Question 4

What language did the government and the church use after 1066?

Answer 4

Latin instead of English

Question 5

What was the differences between the people who spoke English and the People who spoke French?

Answer 5

the conquerors spoke french and the conquered spoke English

Question 6

The languages began to blend together. How much of modern English came from Norman French?

Answer 6

1/4 of the words