Norman Justice System Flashcards
Norman’s built many castles to help control the land. What was the problem and what did it lead to?
Anglo-saxon homes were destroyed, and some fought back. Killing Norman soldiers. William made a law that if a Norman was murdered, all the people of that region had to join together and pay an expensive Murdrum fine
Why did William keep the majority of the Anglo-Saxon laws and give examples:
He wanted to prove he was the rightful heir to England’s previous kings and he would respect their legacy. He kept tithing and the hue and cry as they worked very well
What were the forest laws?
This made previous legal activities into serious crimes. Trees couldn’t be cut down for fuel , people in forests were not allowed to own a dog or bow and arrows, and anyone caught hunting deer had their first two fingers chopped off.
Why were the forest laws regarded as social crimes?
The local community was willing to turn a blind eye to people hunting or cutting trees from the kings forets as they viewed the law unfairly.
The Norman’s kept trial by ordeal but added trial by combat. What was this?
The accused fought with the accuser until one was killed or unable to fight on. The loser was then hung.
What did william use capital punishment for? Was this a continuity or change from Anglo Saxon England?
Serious crimes and re-offenders. This was kept from the Anglo Saxons
The official language used in court and the language the court records were kept in were changed. To what?
The official language used in court was Norman-English, and all court records were kept in Latin. Most English people understood neither
How did fines work with the Normans?
Fines were used for lesser crimes, but the fine was no longer paid to the victim or their family but to the King’s officials. And wergild was abolished
How were women who committed crimes treated in Norman law compared to Anglo-Saxon law?
The Anglo-Saxons gave women almost equal rights in law with men. However, the Norman law was much harsher on women, and a legal text said,’Women authority nil. Let her in all things be subject to the rule of men’
What new type of court did the Norman’s introduce?
The church court, which were separate courts used for church members and tended to be lenient
What changed about capital punishment after the Norman conquest?
There were alternatives to death, such as benefit of the clergy or joining the army
