1000-1500

• What is the focus of the study of Crime and Punishment?

  Change and continuity in crime and punishment
• Why is it important to understand factors in crime and punishment?

  To identify causes of changes and continuities
• What years define the Anglo-Saxon period?

  410 to 1066 A.D
• What significant event occurred in 1066 A.D?

  The Norman Invasion
• What happened after the Romans left Britain in 410 A.D.?

  Anglo-Saxons and Jutes invaded Britain
• What was the main method of settling grudges during the Anglo-Saxon period?

  Blood feuds
• What was the consequence of the blood feud system?

  It led to retribution and little justice
• What system replaced blood feuds around 1000 A.D.?

  The tithing system
• What is a tithing?

  A group of men over 12 for policing
• How does the tithing system promote loyalty?

  Members pay fines for each other's crimes
• What is the human cry system?

  A village alarm for catching criminals
• What happens when someone raises the human cry?

  Villagers must chase the criminal
• What is a folk moot?

  A local court for trials
• Who decides guilt in a folk moot?

  A jury of peers
• What are oath helpers in Anglo-Saxon trials?

  People who vouch for the accused's innocence
• What is trial by ordeal?

  A method to determine guilt through divine intervention
• What is a criticism of the trial by ordeal system?

  It relies on chance rather than justice
• What is a wergild?

  A fine paid to victims of crimes
• How does wergild differ for social classes?

  Higher classes pay more than lower classes
• What were the main types of punishments in Anglo-Saxon times?

  Corporal and capital punishment
• What is corporal punishment?

  Punishment involving physical harm
• What is capital punishment?

  The death penalty for serious crimes
• What was the purpose of punishments in Anglo-Saxon society?

  To deter people from committing crimes
• What is the significance of loyalty and oaths in Anglo-Saxon crime and punishment?

  Breaking oaths was seen as a serious crime
• How often did folk moots meet?

  Every four weeks
• How often did shire courts meet?

  Twice a year
• What is the highest court for serious crimes in Anglo-Saxon times?

  Royal courts
• What are the key features of the Anglo-Saxon crime and punishment system?

  • Blood feuds for settling grudges
  • Tithings for self-policing
  • Human cry for community alert
  • Trial by jury for guilt determination
  • Trial by ordeal for divine judgment
  • Wergild as a system of fines
  • Corporal and capital punishment as deterrents
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Anglo-Saxon punishment system?

  Strengths:

  • Promoted community involvement
  • Encouraged loyalty and responsibility

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Reliance on chance in trials
  • Inequality in wergild payments
  • Brutal punishments for minor offenses