Paper 1 Norman Flashcards
What happened to crime and punishment during the Norman period?
The influence of the king over law increased
Punishment and law enforcement became more centralised and fewer decisions were taken by local communities
There was an increase in harsh punishments - execution which added to the visible power and authority of the king
What years did William I reign?
1066-1087
What were William I’s main aims when he took control of England?
He was determined to establish his royal authority and a stronger more centralised approach to crime and punishment
What was the consequence of William’s centralised approach?
There was resistance from the Anglo-Saxons
There were rebellions in York and East Anglia
William used brutal means to force the people to submit and to unite England under his control
He ordered extreme punishments for the rebels, and also punished large groups of people who were not directly involved, to show his power
Farmlands were destroyed and animals were killed
It is estimated that 100000 people died of starvation as a result of food shortages caused by his punishments
What were the Norman castles and where were they placed?
In every part of the kingdom
Peasant workers were made to build the castles in which Norman lords would live, and they would control the local population under Norman law
They were designed to keep a careful watch on communities and to look intimidating - reminding those who lived outside of their place in society
They represented the increasingly strong royal authority over law and order in England
List the Norman feudal system
King
Nobles
Knights
Serfs
Describe the role of the king on the feudal system
Owns all the land in the country
Makes laws
Gives some land to nobles
Describe the role of the nobles in the feudal system
Given land by the king
Wealthy and powerful
Some have castles to help them control their area and enforce the law
In return they supply the king with soldiers and horses for the army
Give some land to knights
Describe the role of the knights in the feudal system
Live on a smaller area of land
Fight for nobles and the king
Describe the role of the serfs in the feudal system
Own no land
Work for nobles or knights for very low pay
No say in making the law
What was the murdrum fine?
If a Norman was murdered by an Anglo-Saxon, and the murderer was not captured and executed, a large sum of money was paid by the hundred where the body wad found to the court and the king
What was the murdrum fine supposed to stop?
The increase in revenge murders, and make it less likely that people would cover up the crime of a neighbour
How does the murdrum fine show change and continuity from Anglo-Saxons?
Change: New law to protect authority
Continuity: Collective responsibility for the behaviour of everyone in a tithing and with the idea of making a financial pay,meant as compensation for the loss of life
What were William’s Forest Laws?
William declared large stretches of the English countryside to be ‘royal forests’, which he would use for hunting
He took control of the New Forest and around 40 village communities were evicted from the forest in order to clear the new ‘royal playground’ for hunting
What did the Forest Laws mean?
What had previously been common land - where peasants had the right to graze animals, take firewood, or catch a few rabbits - was now strictly controlled by the king
Only those who could afford to pay for hunting rights were allowed to hunt there
For peasants, it became illegal to carry hunting weapons or even take a fallen branch
