Crime, Punishment, and Law Enforcement in Anglo-Saxon England

A set of vocabulary flashcards detailing Anglo-Saxon social hierarchy, legal concepts, law enforcement systems, and judicial practices based on the provided notes.

King's peace

The Anglo-Saxon belief that it was the king's duty to take care of law and order so people could go about their everyday lives knowing the law would be upheld.

King Ethelred II

The King of England who ruled from 978 to 1016, faced ongoing border conflict with Scottish lands, attacked Viking settlements in c1000, and made alliances with Normandy.

Nobles

A wealthy and powerful group in Anglo-Saxon society who were given land by the king, advised on new laws, appointed shire reeves, and kept the king's peace locally.

Freemen

A social class in Anglo-Saxon England that rented or owned a small piece of land but had no say in making laws.

Serfs

A social class in Anglo-Saxon England that owned no land, worked for others for very low pay, and had no say in making laws.

Treason

The crime of betraying the king, such as by helping his enemies or plotting to kill or replace him.

Crimes against authority

Actions that threatened the Anglo-Saxon social structure, ranging from a serf starting a fight with a noble to treason.

Crimes against the person

Crimes, like assault or murder, that cause physical harm to another person.

Crimes against property

Crimes, like theft, robbery, and arson, that involve taking or damaging something belonging to another person.

Collective responsibility

The requirement that a whole group or village community be responsible for upholding the law and taking action if a member broke the law.

Reeve

A local official appointed from the community who carried out decisions made by local courts.

Abbeys

Religious communities of monks or nuns.

Moral crimes

Actions that did not physically harm anyone or property but failed to match society's views on decent behaviour, such as sex outside marriage or failing to follow Church rules.

Hamwic

The Anglo-Saxon name for Southampton, a growing trade town in c1000.

Eoforwic

The Anglo-Saxon name for York, a growing trade town in c1000.

Lundenwic

The Anglo-Saxon name for London, a growing trade town in c1000.

Doom Book

The legal code issued by King Alfred the Great in c893 that was still in force in c1000.

Folk-leasing

The offense of making false accusations that harm somebody's reputation.

Wer

The monetary value assigned to a man's life in Anglo-Saxon law.

King's shire reeve

A man appointed locally to bring criminals to justice, a title that later evolved into the word 'sheriff'.

Tithing

A group of ten men (aged over 12) within a hundred who were legally responsible for the behaviour of each other.

Hue and cry

A system where anyone witnessing a crime shouted for help, obligating everyone who heard it to join the chase and capture the suspects.

Oath

A formal declaration of the facts calling on God to witness that what is said is true.

Oath helpers

Community members called upon by an accused person to swear and support their claims of innocence during a public hearing.

Trial by ordeal

A judicial process conducted by Church authorities when evidence was lacking, relying on God to show guilt or innocence through physical tests.

Trial by cold water

A trial by ordeal where the tied suspect was lowered into water; floating indicated guilt (rejected by the water), while sinking indicated innocence (accepted as pure).

Petty theft

The act of stealing small, low-value items.

Maiming

A form of corporal punishment causing physical injury—such as cutting off a hand, ear, or tongue—intended to give the criminal time to seek forgiveness from God.