Medieval England Flashcards
Define Crime
An activity that breaks the law
Who makes laws?
People who govern a country
Who made the laws during the Anglo-Saxon period?
People with power and wealth
Name 4 types of crime against a person…
- Murder
- Assault
- Public Disorder
- Rape
Name 3 types of crime against property
- Arson
- Theft - stealing crops
- Counterfeiting coins
Name 2 crimes against authority
- Treason
2. Rebellion
After 1066 did the importance of Kings making laws increase or decrease?
It increased as the King’s authority increased.
What did William I do related to crimes?
Added new laws that created new crimes - powerful King can lead to change
What happened after Henry II became King in 1154?
Standard laws were written down meaning there was a uniform legal system across the whole country
Define poaching
Hunting wild animals on other people’s land without paying ‘hunting rights’
Why did poaching increase after the Forest Laws?
Peasants used what had previously been common land to catch animals for food
What type of crime is poaching?
Social
How did the Church help define criminal activity in the Medieval Period?
Created laws that criminalised some actions, influenced the type of punishment given in response and decided between guilt or innocence
Define hundred
An area of land
Explain William I Forest Laws (6)
- 30% of England became ‘Royal Forest which Norman nobility used for hunting
- Village communities were evicted from this land causing resentment
- Royal Forest protected by new Forest Laws
- Only hunt in forest if paid hunting rights
- Illegal to graze animals, kill wild animals or take wood without a licence
- Forest Laws viewed as unfair by ordinary people so those who broke the law were not seen as criminal by most
What punishment did William I order for rebels?
Death Penalty
Regarding rebellions, who else did William I punish?
Those not directly involved - 100,000 people starved to death due to destruction of farmland and animals on William’s orders in areas that had seen rebellions.
Define murdrum fine
If an Anglo-Saxon murdered a Norman and the culprit wasn’t caught, a large sum of money was paid by the hundred where the body was found
Why was the Murdrum fine used?
Help establish control over the conquered population
During the Anglo-Saxon period who was responsible for preventing and catching criminals?
The community
Where did most people live in the year 1000?
Small hamlets, farms or in villages or small towns
Define tithing
Each hundred was divided into 10 tithings and all men were responsible for each other. If one was accused of crime they would make sure he went to court and pay a fine for him