Norman Legal System Flashcards
How did the language of the law change?
Under the Normans, the language of the law became Norman-French. This was a disadvantage to the Saxons, most of whom did not speak the language.
What new laws did the Normans introduce?
❖He introduced new laws, such as the murdrum fine, to protect his Norman followers against attacks by the Saxons.
❖He introduced the forest laws to protect the land he set aside as his own hunting grounds.
❖He introduced new laws on inheritance to prevent his lords’ estates from being broken up. This helped his lords to consolidate and maintain their power.
What was murdrum in the Norman legal system?
The murdrum fine was introduced by the Normans. If a Norman was killed, people in the local area had five days to produce (snitch) the murderer. If they failed, they faced a large fine.
How did the Normans enforce the law?
❖Normans continued the Anglo-Saxon tradition of constables and watchmen who were elected or appointed in towns. They kept the peace and enforced curfews.
❖The tithing was kept, where groups of men guaranteed each other’s good behaviour.
❖The hue and cry remained and was raised whenever a crime was committed. Everyone was expected to help chase and catch the criminal or face a fine.
Define tithing
The tithing was kept, where groups of men guaranteed each other’s good behaviour.
Define hue and cry
The hue and cry remained and was raised whenever a crime was committed. Everyone was expected to help chase and catch the criminal or face a fine.
How did trials work in the Norman legal system?
The Normans kept the Saxon methods of trying criminals. As evidence was sometimes difficult to produce, there were various ways to establish innocence or guilt.
❖People would swear oaths in court about a person’s guilt or innocence, based on their knowledge of the person. As oaths were religious rituals, people were expected to tell the truth or face God’s punishment.
❖Trial by ordeal was sometimes used. The Saxon ordeals included trial by water and trial by fire. The Normans also introduced trial by combat (or trial by battle).
What were the courts in the Norman legal system? (KshLM)
King Shire Hundreds Lords Manor
Also church courts
What was the Kings court?
The King’s Court dealt with royal pleas, including the most serious offences: murder, treason, arson, robbery and rape. The king would also hear appeals from the lower courts.
What was the shire court?
The Shire Courts were supervised by the sheriff (or shire-reeve). These met regularly in each shire and made judgements on violent crime and theft. They also heard land disputes.
What was the hundreds court?
The Hundred Courts were held monthly and supervised by a bailiff, who was appointed by the sheriff. These dealt with minor disputes that did not need to be heard by the sheriff himself.
What was the lords court?
The Lord’s Court (or honorial court) was introduced by the Normans. Lords could deal with their tenants, hearing criminal cases and disputes and also dealing with property transactions.
What was the manor court?
The Manor Courts were held at village level. Each lord of the manor would deal with cases arising from day-to-day life.
What was the Church court?
The Normans also introduced Church Courts. These dealt with religious and moral crimes, including adultery. Church courts were also reserved to try members of the Church for any crime.
What punishments were there in the Norman legal system for the accuser?
If the accused was found innocent, the accuser was punished for making a false claim and had to pay a fine to both the king and the accused.
