History - Medieval Crime and Punishment

How old would someone have to be to be in a tithing?

12 or over

How many men were in a tithing?

10

What was the fine for murder in Anglo-Saxon England called?

The Wergild (Man-Price)

What was the fine for murder in Norman England called?

The Murdrum Fine

What was the difference between the Wergild and the Murdrum Fine?

The Wergild was paid by the accused to the victims family, while the Murdrum Fine was paid by the whole community to the King

Which crimes resulted in hanging in Anglo-Saxon England?

Treason and arson

Why was arson punished by hanging in Anglo-Saxon England?

It damaged land

What was the aim of most punishments in Anglo-Saxon England?

To deter

Which trial by ordeal in Anglo-Saxon England could only be taken by priests?

Trial by Blessed Bread

Who was believed to have final judgement of trials by ordeal?

God

What percentage of the Anglo-Saxon population lived in rural areas?

90%

What could change the amount paid for the Wergild?

The status of the victim

What was seen as the worst crime in Anglo-Saxon England?

Treason

What was a shire reeve in Anglo-Saxon England?

A royal official put in charge of maintaining public order in their shire or community

What was the King's peace / King's Mund?

The king's duty for law and order, and the idea that violating the law was an act against the king

What were the continuities of features of law enforcement between Anglo-Saxon and Norman England?

Tithings, Shire Reeves, Hue and Cry, Trial by ordeal and Collective responsibility

Which trial by ordeal was implemented by the Normans?

Trial By Combat

What were new features of Norman law enforcement?

Castles, The Feudal System, The Domesday Book and Trial by Combat

When was the Domesday book written?

1086

What was the purpose of the Domesday Book?

To assert royal control, verify landholdings, and maximize taxation revenue

What were new punishments implemented by the Normans?

Murdrum Fine, Branding, and Castration.

Did the death penalty decrease or increase in usage in Norman England compared to Anglo-Saxon England?

It increased.

What was the purpose of Norman Castles.

To provide a physical presence, to intimidate, and to allow the Normans to watch over the English population.

What key battle changed leadership of England in 1066?

The Battle of Hastings

When was the Magna Carta signed?

1215

Who signed the Magna Carta?

King John

What did the Magna Carta do?

It established that the King was subject to the law, not above it.

When were trials by ordeal ended?

1215

Who ended trials by ordeal?

Pope Innocent III

Which law made it illegal to ask for higher wages?

The Statute of Labourers (1351)

What did the Heresy Act 1382 allow?

Bishops to arrest heretical preachers and followers

What was a continuity in implementation of laws and new definitions of crime between the Norman period and the middle ages?

They were implemented for protection of their own power and wealth.

What replaced the Shire Reeves in the middle ages?

Justices of the Peace

What was the purpose of Justices of the Peace?

To make and maintain nationwide uniform law enforcement

Who introduced the Assize of Clarendon?

Henry II

What was the purpose of the Assize of Clarendon?

to centralize royal power, diminish the judicial authority of local barons and church courts, and improve the court system.

When were coroners introduced?

1194

Who introduced coroners?

Richard I

What was the purpose of coroners?

To investigate unexplained deaths

What was the punishment for high treason in the middle ages?

Hanged, drawn and quartered.

What was the punishment for heresy in the middle ages?

Burned at the stake