1000-1500 medieval england

• Heresy 


  Seen as a crime against the church and an offence to God. Those who committed heresy were seen as a danger to others as they could persuade others to follow them in false beliefs
• treason


  A challenge to the authority of the ruler. anyone who challenged this was seen as guilty
• Most serious crimes 


  heresy and treason - could result to being sentenced to death penalty
• retribution


  A punishment that was matched to the severity to the crime
• stocks and pillory 


  used for public humiliation, usually based in the centre of the town and would sometimes have rubbish thrown at they by people in the public. Used as a deterrent to stop people committing crimes
• trial by ordeal


  seen as a trial that was judged in the eyes of god
• Trial by hot iron/hot water

  The hand of the accused would be burned, and then bandaged. If the wound heals well then they are seen as innocent
• Trial by cold water


  The accused would be tied up and thrown in the water. If they sink then they are proved innocent as it was seen that the water has accepted them
• Poaching 


  The illegal hunting on land that didnt belong to them
• Forest law


  This meant that the land that was previously common land would be strictly controlled by the king. They had to pay for hunting rights in order to hunt there. For peasants this was made illegal to carry hunting weapons and even a branch so they cant kill the animals
• What was the opinion on forest laws?

  Lots of people see the forest laws as unjust and unfair so didn't frown upon those who broke the law. it took away people's resources and what they saw as fundamental freedoms
• What were foresters?


  The king hired men to work in the forest to look for anyway poaching or who hadn't got permission to come on the land. Those who were caught faced serious punishments
• Blood feuds + wergild 


  Blood feuds is where the members of a murdered victim were allowed to kill the murderer. This went on and on which created an ongoing cycle of violence. Wergild was introduced to reduce the blood feuds and this was a fine that would be paid as compensation to the victims family. The fines were based of social status
• corporal punishment 


  Punishment that caused harm or pain to the body
• Capital punishment


  Death penalty
• what was the benefit of the clergy?


  One aspect of henry II disputes with the church was a power struggle over how far the kings authority could be imposed on members of clergy who were being tried for a crime. Senior church officials successfully argued that members of the clergy should only be tried in church courts. This right was called benefit of the clergy
• Trial by combat


  This was a law made by the Normans, usually to do with a large sum of money or land. the two people would fight and whoever wins gets what they want. This was seen as a more dignified option for wealthier people.
• When was the Norman conquest?

  1066
• Murdrum fine 


  A fine for the murder of a Norman. Paid by the community around where the body was found
• Who ended the system of wergild?

  normans
• Why did the Normans make changes to punishments after the Norman conquest?

  To maintain norman power and make money for the king
• Case study - influence of the church

  -Powerful institution that controlled peoples thoughts and actions, very important in influencing change

  -Important outside religion too - owned 1/5 of countries wealth

  -1215 pope ended trial by ordeal, trial by jury was introduced

  -Church courts set up by William I to deal with crimes. Maiming was used instead of execution as they believed retribution was wrong and their focus was to reflect and repent crimes
• Tithing 


  used to prevent crime, usually group of 10 men who are responsible for everyone's behaviour. If one member committed a crime, its also everyone else's responsibility to catch them and take them to court
• Parish constable


  Law enforcement officer in a parish. Carries out the same policing duties. This was used to prevent crime.
• Outlaws 


  any man aged 14 or over who tried to avoid trial of punishment by running away from his community was considered an outlaw. Groups of outlaws commit serious crimes
• Sanctuary 


  A place to hide when needing to avoid going to court. They could ask for help for the clergy. This meant that if they thought it was fair to do so, they would swear an oath agreeing to leave the country in 40 days instead of court