later Middle Ages

Why did crime increase in towns like London and York?

Town growth created more opportunities for crime, leading to a more centralised approach.

What was the estimated population of London in the later Middle Ages?

About 30,000.

What was the estimated population of York?

About 11,000.

How did the Black Death affect the workforce in England?

Many workers died, allowing survivors to demand higher wages.

What did the Statute of Labourers (1351) do?

Introduced maximum wages and made it a crime to ask for more or move for better pay.

Who were the Lollards?

People questioning Church practices, e.g., wanting the Bible in English.

What were laws against heresy, and when were they introduced?

Laws punishing beliefs different from the Church; introduced in 1382, 1401, 1414.

How did the government’s role in crime control change?

It increased, becoming more centralised.

What was the Assize of Clarendon (1166)?

Reorganisation of courts and setup of prisons for those awaiting trial by Henry II.

Who were the Justices in Eyre?

Royal justices who visited counties twice a year to hear serious cases.

What did standard written instructions to sheriffs achieve?

Made law enforcement systems more uniform across England.

What local crime-fighting roles continued from earlier periods?

Townspeople helped catch offenders; towns divided into wards.

What were thythingmen later called?

Parish constables.

What role did coroners, introduced by Richard I in 1194, have?

Investigated suspicious deaths

Who were Justices of the Peace (JPs)?

Officials maintaining the king’s peace; originally knights appointed by Richard I, later formalised by Edward II by 1361.

What power did JPs gain from the Heresy Law of 1414?

Power to arrest suspected heretics.

What punishment was introduced for heresy in 1401?

Burning at the stake.

What was the punishment for high treason?

Being hanged, drawn, and quartered.

What happened to the limbs of someone executed for high treason?

They were severed and displayed in different parts of the country.

Why were punishments for heresy and treason so harsh?

To serve as a warning and maintain the power of Church and King.