Life under the Normans Flashcards
describe the order of the feudal system
king bishop/barons knights peasants
what did each section of the feudal system do
barons/ tenants in chief -> grant land through subinfeudation. t-i-c controlled 25% of land
knights-> provided military and loyalty to the king. This could be avoided by paying scutage .
sometimes known as lord of the manor, granted land to peasants who lived in their manor
(mesne lords who owed homage to another lord rather than directly to king0
Peasants->not allowed to leave land/ marry without Lord’s permission, not freemen-villeins.
had to give crops + work set number of days
some were freemen, who paid rent
Slaves-> worked in return for food and shelter
made about 10% of population in 1086 but declined bc Church disapproved + expensive to keep
What were other changes to the hierarchy
a-s raised armies from their tenants
the King asserted more control over tenants-> charging fees when they died, controlling marriages of widows, re distributing land
by 1086 only 4 Eng thegns hd land-> rest was controlled by Church King and 200 N Barons
W took massive amount of land as Royal Forest whch were subject to new forest laws-> unpopular as only the K was allowed to hunt, unfair
what were wales and marcher lords
where w feared an attack he granted large areas to his barons
had independent power including keeping their own armies and building power
William FitzOsbern
what aspects of the already existing justice and legal system did W change?
importance of shire courts-> declined due to the honorial courts + Juries were introduced in some cases
Inheritance-> established idea of primogeniture bc the stability of the Feudal system relied on earldoms not being split
the oath system-> introduced murdrum fines which meant if any N earl was murdered all the A-s in area would be heavily fines. protected N earls vunerable to attackm , reduce hostile attacks
Punishments-> introduced ordeal by combat
Language of law-> latin became official language of Church + gov + laws were recorded in Latin too
Forest Laws-> only W allowed to hunt + punishments included fines, mutilations to the body of offender, execution
what aspects of justice and legal system remained unchanged from A-s?
Hundreds Courts-> shires were split into hundreds /wapentakes were Sheriffs had power to raise/collect taxes.
were replaced by royal N men
HC’s met more frequently, disputed tended to be about land
Punishments-> ordeals based on principle of ‘Judicium Dei’
water fire
how was law enforced by different people?
constables-> power to arrest, break up fights, put out fire, held key to the stocks
Watchmen-> ensure ppl abide by curfew, prevent crime catch crimminals
not paid=slacked with taking seriously, drink w/ friends
Hue and cry-> raising alarm after a crime + if didn’t report could get punished
Tithing-> 10-12 men promised to stop others from committing crimes , reveal guilty party + if didn’t whole group fined
what changes did N make to the trial system?
accuser and accused fight and whoever won God intervened to help them claim innocence
a champion could be nominated to fight on behalf
