Norman Legal Systems 1.1 PART 2 Flashcards
shire courts:
continuity
change
significance of change
// continuity // -kept shire courts //change// -built castles in shire towns and introduced juries -declined in importance due to honorial courts where person would appeal straight to lord //Significance// -juries still used today and crimes were recorded and written down -norman earls could establish control
hundred courts :
continuity
change
significance of change
// continuity // -continued //change// -met more frequently than shire courts and were run by sheriffs deputy //significance// -maintain power on a small scale builds up to a larger scale
inheritance
continuity
change
significance of change
//continuity// -land still passed down in families // change// -stability of new feudal system depended on earldoms not being split so important that William knew who was inheriting land -primogeniture introduced here only the eldest son would receive land and titles // significance of change// -continued for generations and ensured land was passed down from one Norman to the next -William used this to maintain order and control
oath system:
continuity
change
significance of change
//continuity//
-normans continued with oaths
//changes//
-introduction of ‘murdrum fines’ – if any Norman was murdered all anglo saxons in area would be heavily fined
//significance of change//
-allowed William to protect Norman earls from anglo Saxon populace
-allowed William to gain power to suppress rebellions
punishments:
continuity
change
significance of change
//continuity//
-most punishments continued
//change//
-with addition of ordeal by combat where nobleman would fight accuser and the one who won was right
//significance of change//
-allowed William to establish control through evoking fear in violence
Language of Law:
change
significance of change
//change// -church services in Lati -writs and Charters in Latin -eccelesiastical writs in Latin -schools and universities in Latin //significance of change// -William altered English culture to suit him (could not speak English) -William placed his mark on the country
Forets Laws:
change
significance of change
//change//
-William introduced forest laws he was an avid hunter
-no one allowed to hunt in forests as they were his land
-if caught then mutiliated or fined
-only king and lords could fight
//significance of change//
-allowed William to establish control and change culture to suit him
how was the law enforced
- cases brought to court by victim or relative
- proof had to be found through the ordeal system from God
what was wergild (man price)
-in serious offences eg murder money was paid to victims familiy however this decline under normans
how were offenders punished
- mutlitaion
- execution
- compensation for less serious
what happened to the reeve in Norman England
- became more important
- answered to the king not earls (prev anglo)
- continued to be responsible for fyrd
demesne
- money that Reeves (sheriffs) paid to allow them to manage the kings land and estates
- paid to king
- Reeves wre resented by local populations because they took a share of taxes collected by the king which incentivised the Reeves to collect as much taxes as possible
what was a sheriff also known as
a shire reeve
