Paper 1 Anglo-Saxon Flashcards
When was medieval England?
1000-1500
Who were the rulers of England in 1000?
Anglo-Saxons
Who mostly dealt with crime and punishment in 1000?
Local communities - king and Church had some involvement
During the Anglo-Saxon period, what were the three important trends in crime and punishment?
Power and influence of the king - Penalties were increasingly decided by king rather than local communities
Power and influence of Christian Church - Concerned with giving those who had committed crimes opportunities to save their souls
Use of punishments - Capital punishment - To help boost the visible power and authority of the king
What was the king’s peace?
The belief of the Anglo-Saxons that it was the king’s duty to take care of law and order, so people could go about their everyday lives knowing that the law would be upheld
List the Anglo-Saxon feudal system
King
Nobles
Freemen
Serfs
Describe the king’s role on the feudal system
Rules the country
Decide new laws and issues codes of law
Responsible for keeping the king’s peace
Describe the role of the nobles in the feudal system
Given land by the king - wealthy and powerful
Some can advise and persuade the king when making new laws
Appoint shire reeves to make sure people follow the king’s law
Responsible for keeping the king’s peace in their local area
Describe the role of the freemen in the feudal system
Rent or own a small piece of land
Had no say in making the law
Describe the role of the serfs in the feudal system
Owned no land
Worked for others for very low pay
Had no say in making the law
What did Anglo-Saxons believe about victims if a crime was committed?
They believed it was the victim’s responsibility to seek justice if a crime was committed; but also that the whole community should play a part in delivering justice. Being loyal to your country was seen as a duty
How were English shires designed in the 10th century?
Each shire was divided into smaller areas called hundreds
Each hundred was divided into ten tithings
All men over 12 in a tithing were responsible for the behaviour of all others
One man from each hundred, and one man from each tithing had to meet regularly with the king’s shire reeve
What was a shire reeve?
A man who was appointed locally to bring criminals to justice
Their role was to prevent crime along with the hundredsman and tithingmen
What did the king give the nobles in return for their support?
Land
What was treason?
The crime of betraying the king
What were crimes against the person?
Crimes like assault or murder which cause physical harm to another person
What were crimes against property?
Crimes like theft, robbery, and arson which involve taking or damaging something that belongs to another person
Why was it easy to identify a criminal in Anglo-Saxon towns, villages, and abbeys?
Most people lived in these places and knew everyone which made it easier to recognise people
What was collective responsibility?
Being responsible for the actions of other members of their group
In a village community, if somebody broke the law it was up to everyone in the village to take action
What was a reeve?
A local official appointed from the community who carried out decisions made by local courts
What were moral crimes?
Actions that didn’t physically harm anyone, or their property, but didn’t match up to society’s views on decent behaviour
For example: not sticking to the rules and customs of the Church, or relations before marriage
What was the hue and cry?
A shout for help when someone had witnessed a crime
Everyone who heard it was expected to help chase and capture the suspects
What was an oath?
A formal declaration of the facts, calling on God to witness that what is said is true
How could suspects ‘prove’ their innocence?
Hearings took place in public and the accused could swear their innocence under oath
They could also call upon others in the community to support their claims as ‘oath helpers’
AS justice relied heavily on religion when deciding whether someone was guilty or innocent
What was a trial by ordeal?
A way of testing whether the accused was innocent or guilty in the eyes of God
The effect that the ordeal had on the accused was seen as God’s judgement on their guilt or innocence
Name the examples of trial by ordeal
Trials by hot iron
Trials by cold/hot water
Explain trials by hot water/hot iron
Heat was used to burn one of the accused’s hands
This was then bandaged
If the burn healed well, this was seen as a sign that God judged the person to be innocent
If burn became infected or did not heal, this was seen as a judgement of guilt
Explain trials by cold water
The accused was thrown into water with their arms tied
Anyone who floated was judged guilty
Anyone who sank was judged innocent and hauled up again as they were seen as ‘pure’ as the ocean ‘accepted’ them
What was maiming?
A punishment causing physical harm
A criminal could have a hand, ear, or their tongue cut out
How was murder often punished?
By a fine known as the wergild
This was seen as compensation for the loss of life
What was the wergild introduced for?
To reduce blood feuds
How was the value of the wergild paid to the victim’s family decided?
By social status
A prince was worth 1500 shillings
A Yeoman farmer was worth 100 shillings
A serf was worth 40 shillings
How were treason and arson punished?
By execution - usually hanging
What were the stocks and pillory?
A combination of physical pain, discomfort, and public humiliation
Stocks secured the ankles
Pillory secured the arms and neck
They were usually placed at the centre of a town or village
Those receiving this penalty would be exposed to bad weather, sometimes for several days
Public could also throw rubbish at them or verbally abuse them
How was murder punished?
Wergild
How was assault punished?
Maiming
How was public disorder punished?
Stocks of pillory
How was theft punished?
Fines or maiming
How was counterfeiting coins punished?
Hand chopped off
How was arson punished?
Hanging
How was treason punished?
Hanging
