1000-1500 : crime

• How many kingdoms was England divided into during Saxon times?

  Seven kingdoms
• Who made the laws in each Saxon kingdom?

  Local leaders
• What was a king's duty regarding laws?

  Ensuring laws were obeyed
• What aspects of criminal behavior did Saxon laws cover?

  Theft, violence, and murder
• What is wergild?

  A fine for damages or wrongs
• How was the level of wergild determined?

  By the seriousness of the crime
• What was the punishment for very serious crimes like adultery?

  Death penalty
• Who could legally hunt in the English countryside?

  Feudal lords
• What were blood feuds?

  Revenge attacks leading to more violence
• What did William the Conqueror do to rebels?

  Brutally punished them
• What methods did William use to enforce his laws?

  Brutal methods like burning villages
• What were built across the country to terrorize the English?

  Castles
• What was the purpose of the Forest Laws?

  To protect royal forests
• What was the punishment for violating the Forest Laws?

  Blinding
• How did the Romans enforce laws compared to the Saxons?

  More heavily
• What type of crime was most common during the Middle Ages?

  Small-scale theft
• What percentage of murder victims were killed during robberies?

  Approximately 10%
• Who committed three quarters of crimes?

  People known to the victims
• What were common conditions for peasants in the Middle Ages?

  Poverty and famine
• What did gangs of outlaws frequently steal?

  Food, clothing, and pots
• Why were churches targeted by outlaws?

  They contained valuable ornaments
• What tactics did outlaws use against their victims?

  Threats of arson and violence
• How did many gangs of outlaws evade capture?

  Protected by locals or wealthy friends
• What were the key laws and punishments during Saxon times?

  • Laws made by local leaders
  • Wergild for damages
  • Death penalty for serious crimes
  • Blood feuds for revenge
• What were the main characteristics of crime during the Middle Ages?

  • Small-scale theft was common
  • Serious crimes threatened wealthy lives
  • Most crimes committed by known individuals
  • Poverty and famine led to increased crime
• What were the roles of outlaws in the Middle Ages?

  • Stole from anyone, including churches
  • Used violence and threats
  • Evaded capture with local support
  • Rarely shared stolen goods with the poor