Crime & punishment c1000-c1500

• The King


  The person, supposedly chosen by God, whop was the most important of all people in the country.
• Nobles


  They were the king's main supporters and advisors. The king gave them land and in return they provided soldiers to help the king and helped maintain law and order.
• The Church


  Medieval people were very religious, the Church was very important because it offered people the chance to go to Heaven when they died. Each village had a priest and everyone in the village had to go to Church. The Church had its own courts to put Church workers on trial, the Church building was also used by criminals claiming sanctuary. The Church's power meant that it sometimes ended up fighting with the king.
• Peasants


  Most people were peasants, they worked as farmers on the land owned by the local lord. Peasants worked on their own land.as well so they could feed their families. There was no police force, so local communities were expected to look after each other and ensure law and order was kept.
• What common crimes were committed during the Anglo-Saxon period?

  • Drinking too much
  • Insulting your neighbour
  • Stealing
  • Murder
  • Ploughing someone's land
• Tithing


  There was no police in Anglo-Saxon England. Every male over the age of 12 was expected to join a 'tithing'. A tithing was a group of 10 men who were responsible for each other's behaviour. If one of them broke the law, the other members of the tithing had to bring them to court, or pay a fine.
• Hue and cry


  If a crime had been committed the victim was expected to raise the 'hue and cry'. The entire village had to stop whatever they were doing and join the hunt to catch the criminal. if a person did not join the 'hue and cry', then the whole village would be fined.
• Parish Constable


  A local man given the duty of making sure law and order was followed in the village. This job was unpaid.
• Trial by local jury

  This was the first form of trial. The accused person would be judged by 10 men from the local community, they would have known both the accused and the victim.
• Process of trial by jury

  There was a clear process for trial by jury:

  • The accused and the victim would give their version of what happened.
  • If the jury could not tell who was telling the truth, or if there was not enough evidence (i.e. an eyewitness) then they would decide based on their knowledge of the people concerned.
  • If they decided that the victim was more trustworthy than the accused, they would find the accused guilty and swear on oath of compurgation.
• Trial by ordeal


  If the trial by jury method failed, Saxons would turn to a different type of trial called 'trial by ordeal'. Saxon society was very religious and believed that God could be asked to tell them whether a person was guilty or innocent.