c1000–c1500: Crime & Punishment in Medieval England (Edexcel GCSE History)

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  • When did the Norman period begin?

    The Norman period began from 1066.

  • What were the three categories of crime in Anglo-Saxon England?

    The three types of crime in Anglo-Saxon England were crimes against people, crimes against property and crimes against authority.

  • True or False?

    Assault was the most serious crime against a person in Anglo-Saxon England.

    False.

    The most serious crime against a person in Anglo-Saxon England was murder.

  • What was the most serious crime against authority in Anglo-Saxon England?

    The most serious crime against authority in Anglo-Saxon England was treason.

  • Who was William I?

    William I was also called the Duke of Normandy. He invaded England in 1066 and defeated Harold II to become the King of England.

  • Define the murdrum law.

    The murdrum law applied when an Anglo-Saxon murdered a Norman. The people in the hundred where the body was found had five days to capture the murderer, otherwise they paid a fine.

  • Define the Forest Laws.

    The Forest Laws created hunting grounds for King William I, the Norman nobility, and those who purchased hunting rights. It made poaching a serious crime.

  • True or False?

    The Forest Laws were very unpopular in Norman times.

    True.

    Many people in Norman England thought the Forest Laws were unfair as they could no longer use the forests for hunting or grazing.

  • What year did Henry II introduce the royal courts?

    Henry II introduced the royal courts in 1163.

  • True or False?

    The nobility was at the top of Anglo-Saxon society.

    False.

    The king was at the top of Anglo-Saxon society.

  • Define the hundred.

    The hundred was a unit of land in Anglo-Saxon England. In some areas, a hundred was 100 hides. However, in other areas, it did not have this direct connection.

  • Define collective responsibility.

    Collective responsibility is the idea of holding a group accountable for the actions of an individual.

  • What was a hue and cry?

    A hue and cry involved everyone in the village chasing a criminal to catch them.

  • What were the two types of trial in Anglo-Saxon England?

    The two types of trial in Anglo-Saxon England were trial by jury and trial by ordeal.

  • Define a shire reeve.

    A shire reeve is a local authority appointed by the community to take criminals to court and make sure punishments are carried out.

  • True or False?

    Castles helped to keep law and order in Norman England.

    True.

    The Normans built castles to symbolise their power and to control the people and the land.

  • What did Edward III do in 1327 that changed law enforcement?

    Edward III changed the keepers to Justices of the Peace (JPs) in 1327.

  • What year did Pope Innocent III abolish trial by ordeal?

    Pope Innocent III abolished trial by ordeal in 1215.

  • What year did Henry II introduce prisons through the Assize of Clarendon?

    Henry II introduced prisons through the Assize of Clarendon in 1166.

  • What was the name of the act passed in 1352 that distinguished between high treason and petty treason?

    The name of the act passed in 1352 was the Act of Treason.

  • Define retribution.

    Retribution is designed to exact vengeance on a criminal. It is based on the idea that criminals should suffer in proportion to the harm that they have caused.

  • Define what deterrence meant in Anglo-Saxon England.

    Deterrence in Anglo-Saxon England was designed to prevent crime. It was based on the idea that fear would put people off committing crimes.

  • True or False?

    The blood feud system is an example of deterrence in Anglo-Saxon England.

    False.

    The blood feud system in Anglo-Saxon times was an example of retribution. Examples of deterrence include floggings, beheadings, stocks, and fines.

  • What were the two most severe forms of punishment in Medieval England?

    The two most severe forms of punishment in Medieval England were corporal punishment and capital punishment.

  • Define corporal punishment.

    Corporal punishment is used to inflict physical pain on a criminal. Corporal punishment was used for crimes like petty theft and public disorder.

  • What were the two main methods of capital punishment in Medieval England?

    The two main methods of capital punishment in Medieval England were beheading  and hanging.

  • Define the Saxon Wergild.

    The Saxon Wergild was more about compensation than retribution. Criminals had to pay a fine to their victims or their victims’ families to stop blood feuds.

  • True or False?

    Corporal and capital punishment dramatically increased from Anglo-Saxon times to Norman times.

    True.

    Those who broke the Forest Laws were often punished with mutilation. Capital punishment started to be used more on reoffenders.

  • How could someone in the later Medieval period avoid capital punishment?

    Someone in the later Medieval period could avoid capital punishment by buying an official pardon from the king; fighting in the king’s army during a war or joining the Crusades.

  • True or False?

    A person's social status did not impact their punishment in Medieval times.

    False.

    Medieval punishments varied depending on a person’s social status. A court would consider a person's class, gender, and religious authority before deciding upon a punishment.

  • What year did the Constitutions of Clarendon limit the Church's legal power?

    The Constitutions of Clarendon limited the Church's legal power in 1164.

  • What could the Church no longer offer to people in 1536?

    In 1536, the Church could no longer offer people Sanctuary.

  • What types of crimes were the Church concerned with in Medieval times?

    The Church was concerned about moral crimes. Moral crimes included adultery, drunkenness, and failing to attend Church on a Sunday.

  • True or False?

    The medieval church courts only focused on retribution.

    False.

    The church courts in Medieval times believed that punishments should allow criminals to reflect on their crimes, regret their actions, and reform themselves.

  • What did the Constitutions of Clarendon achieve?

    The Constitutions of Clarendon limited the Church's power. One clause required clergy accused of serious crimes to be tried in secular courts.

  • Define Sanctuary in Medieval England.

    Claiming sanctuary in Medieval England allowed a criminal to take refuge in a church. The sheriff was not allowed to arrest them. The criminal had 40 days to attend their trial or leave the country.

  • Define benefit of the clergy.

    The benefit of the clergy allowed the clergy to be tried in more lenient church courts. It was supposed to only be for priests. In reality, church doorkeepers and gravediggers could also claim it.

  • True or False?

    Criticism of the benefit of the clergy increased in the later Medieval period.

    True.

    Many people believed that the benefit of the clergy allowed criminals to escape punishment. In addition, illiterate clergymen learnt the verse to claim the benefit of the clergy wrongly.

  • Why did trial by jury become more common than trial by ordeal in the 13th century?

    Trial by jury became more common than trial by ordeal because, in 1219, Henry III abolished trial by ordeal. Trial by jury was seen as a fairer way to decide a person's guilt.