Medieval England Flashcards
What was a blood feud?
When victims of crime would punish the criminals themselves, by tracking down the person and killing them
What is a tithing
Ever man over the age of 12 had to join a group o ten men known as a tithing, they were responsible for bringing the other to court if they committed a crime
What is the hue and cry
The entire village was expected to put down their things and join a hunt to find the criminal,
If one person did not join the entire village would have to pay a fine
What is trial by jury
Jury made up men who knew accuser and the accused . They decided if the person was innocent or guilty
What is compurgation
If the jury felt that the accuser was more honest than the accused they would swear an oath that the accused was guilty. The oath was called compurgation
What is trial by ordeal?
When the jury could not decide the people would turn to god in the hope he would help them
Trial by hot iron
For women
They had to puck up a red hot iron and walk three steps
It was bandaged and wrapped and unwrapped 3 days later
If it was healing the person is innocent
Trial by hot water
Used for men
Put hand in boiling water to pick up an object
Hand wrapped for three days
If healed innocent
Trial by cold water
Used for men
Tied with a knot lowered into water
If drowned innocent and go heaven
If guilty floated
Trial by blessed bread
Taken by priests
Priest prays that accused would choke if guilty
What is wergild
Fines paid to victims family
Killing a noble - 300
Freeman - 100
Also used for physical injuries
Who was corporal punishment used for
Re offenders Mutilation Whipped Flogging Stocks and pillory
Capital punishment
Hanged
Deter ppl
When was the Norman invasion
1000-1066 AD
What courts were used
Royal courts -for serious crime
Shire courts - met twice a year
Hundred courts - towns and villages
