history - crime and punishment - c1000-c1500 medieval england

how did the power of the kings increases in Norman England : rebellions + Norman response

• resistance from Anglo Saxons , William employed brutal measure

• He could order extreme punishments for rebellion + punish large groups who weren’t directly involved e.g destroyed farmlands and killed animals

how did the power of the kings increases in Norman England : Norman castles

• built all over England

• Norman lords lived there and controlled local people under Norman law

• Castles designed to look intimidating + keep watch of local people

• Show increasing royal authority over law

how did the power of the kings increases in Norman England : Feudal system

• everyone owed money/ service to those above them except from king as he was at top

• Norman nobles replaces Anglo Saxon nobles

• Anglo Saxon serfs were bound to work for their laws and could not leave without permission

how did the power of the kings increases in Norman England : Outlaws and the forests

• men over 14 who ran away from punishment were called outlaws, women called waived

• They lost protection from law so could be killed with no legal consequences

• Strong connections to forest, e.g Robin Hood who first appeared written in late 14th century

• Many real outlaw gangs lived in forests and commited crimes

how did the power of the kings increases in Norman England : Forest laws

• meant that previous common land was now owned by king , became illegal for peasants to be on it / use it

• Introduced crime of poaching

• Led to bitterness as took away fundamental freedoms, created ‘social law’ as people though it was ok to break

• Had very severe punishment of both cpatital and corporal

how did the power of the kings increases in Norman England : Murdrum

• if a Norman was murderd by Anglo Saxons and the killer was not found then the community had to pay a fine to the king

• Suppose to stop an increase in revenge murders after Anglo Saxon invasion

• Helped protect the authority

Crimes against the person : Anglo Saxon v Norman

• Anglo Saxon

  • murder

  • Assault

  • Public disorder

• Norman

  • murder

  • Assault

  • Public disorder

  • Slander (false statement about someone in public )

Crimes against property: Anglo Saxon v Norman

• Anglo Saxon

  • theft

  • Counterfeiting coins

  • Arson

• Norma

  • theft

  • Arson

Crimes against authority: Anglo Saxon v Norman

• Anglo Saxon

  • treason

  • Betraying your lord

• Norman

  • treason

  • Poaching on kings land

  • Leaving home (surfs couldn’t leave village without lords permission )