The Church Flashcards
What were church courts?
More lenient courts where the church claimed the rights to try any churchmen accused of a crime in its own courts. The punishment was never death, no matter the crime
What was the benefit of the clergy?
When an accused person claimed the right to be tried in the more lenient church courts.
Who was the benefit of the clergy intended for? But what actually happened?
It was intended for priests, but in practice, anyone loosely connected to the church as they could just memorise the verse from the bible, which was used to test if you were a churchman. This verse became known as the ‘neck verse’
How did sanctuary in a church work for a criminal?
If someone running from the law reached a church, they could claim sanctuary, and not even the sheriff could remove them by force. They then had 40 days to decide on exile or to face trial.
Trial by ordeal was used by the church, what was it?
Although it ended in 1215, it was used when judges could not reach a verdict and was based on the unreliable fact that God would decide a case.
Did the church help or hinder justice in the early 13th century?
Overall, it hindered as innocent people were guilty because of supernatural beliefs and allowed people of the church to get away with crimes
