Medieval England: 1000 - 1500 Flashcards
Anglo-Saxon + Norman England
What was the population in Anglo-Saxon England and where did most of them live?
2 million people of which 90% lived in the countryside.
What was the structure of Anglo-Saxon society?
1) King
2) Nobles
3) Freemen
4) Serfs
What was the role of the King?
Controlled the land and was responsible for keeping the King’s Peace.
What did nobles do?
They received land from the King and supported and advised his decisions.
What was the role of freemen??
Owned pieces of land.
What was the role of serfs?
Were very poor farmers and expected to look out for each other.
King’s Peace definition
The King’s duty to uphold law and order.
Give 3 examples of crimes against the person.
1) Assault
2) Murder
3) Public disorder
Give 3 examples of crimes against property.
1) Theft
2) Arson
3) Poaching (social crime)
Give 2 examples of crimes against the authority.
1) Treason
2) Rebellion
What are some examples of moral crimes?
1) Not sticking to Church customs
2) Fornication
What were Hundreds and Tithings?
Tithing: consisted of 10 males in the community above the age of 12.
Each shire was divided into a hundred (with 10 tithings).
What was a Shire Reeve?
A local man appointed by the community to take criminals to courts. Regularly met with one man from each tithing.
Give an example of how collective responsibility was used.
If one member of a tithing broke the law, the other members would have to pay a fine and take the accused to court.
What was Hue and Cry?
Law Enforcement
When a crime was committed, the victim was expected to raise a ‘Hue and Cry’ which alerted other villagers to help them catch the criminal. If they didn’t take part - they had to pay a fine.
What was ‘taking oaths’ ?
The accused could swear their innocence under oath and could be supported by ‘Oath Helpers.’ This method of law enforcement relied heavily on God.
Explain what Trial by Jury is.
Law Enforcement
The jury was made up of men in a tithing who knew the accused and the accuser. They would listen to both accounts and decide who was innocent and guilty.
Explain what Trial by Ordeal is.
Law Enforcement
Was used when there was no evidence. It tested the accused innocence or guilt under the eyes of God. It was always supervised by a Priest.
a) What was Trial by Hot Iron?
The accused held hot iron in their hand and after it would be bandaged and they would wait 3 days. If they were innocent, their hand would heal but if they were guilty, their hand would blister.
b) What was Trial by Hot Water?
The accused would have to pick up an object in boiling water. After 3 days, if their hand was healed, they were deemed innocent by God.