Medieval - Crime and Punishment

• What are the four types of crime in Anglo-Saxon England?


  • Crimes against the person
  • Crimes against authority
  • Crimes against property
  • Social crimes
• What defines a crime against the person in Anglo-Saxon England?


  A crime which causes physical or emotional harm to another person
• What constitutes a crime against property?


  A crime involving theft or damage to someone’s property
• What are social crimes?


  Any act that breaks the law but is not reported because it is not seen as serious enough
• What was the population of Anglo-Saxon England?


  Around 2 million people
• Where did most people in Anglo-Saxon England live?


  In small, isolated villages in the countryside
• Why did Anglo-Saxon people know little about the world around them?


  Because most people lived within their local village
• Who decided on every law in Anglo-Saxon England?

  The King
• What was the King’s responsibility in Anglo-Saxon England?


  To keep the King’s Peace
• What did local communities rely on to prevent crime?

  Collective responsibility
• Why did crime increase in towns during the Anglo-Saxon period?


  Due to increasing trade and more opportunities for crime
• How did the Church influence crime in Anglo-Saxon England?


  By deterring people from committing crimes due to fear of Hell
• What was the societal structure in Anglo-Saxon England?


  King, nobles, freemen, serfs, and slaves
• How did the growth of towns affect crime rates?


  It increased crime rates due to more people and valuable items
• What was the impact of collective responsibility in Anglo-Saxon England?


  It meant local communities enforced laws and stopped crime
• What was the role of the Church in deterring crime?


  It instilled fear of Hell in those who might commit crimes
• What was the significance of the King’s Peace?

  It was the belief that the king had a duty to maintain order and prevent crime
• How did the belief in God influence crime in Anglo-Saxon England?


  It deterred people from committing crimes due to fear of divine punishment
• How did the lack of written laws affect crime in Anglo-Saxon England?


  It placed the responsibility of law enforcement on local communities
• What was the impact of the king's authority on crime in Anglo-Saxon England?


  The king's authority determined what actions were considered crimes