Late middle ages

• Policing methods


  • Tithings
  • Constables
  • Coroners
  • Sheriffs
• Constables


  Appointed annually to lead the hue and cry
• Constables


  • They were unpaid volunteers
• Coroners


  Royal officials who investigated unnatural deaths further
• Sheriffs


  Responsible for organising a posse to catch the criminals
• Punishment


  • Trials
  • Manor courts
  • Royal judges
  • Trial by ordeal (abolished 1215)
• Fines


  • Paid to the King for minor crimes
  • Public humiliation (stocks & pillories)
  • Whipping
• Capital punishment


  Execution increased
• Sanctuary


  If someone on the run could reach a church, they were moved the protection of the church and not even the Sheriff could remove them
• Sanctuary


  Criminals had 40 days to face trial or leave the country
• Sanctuary


  Hindered justice: Criminals could get away with crimes
• Church courts


  Claimed the right to try any church men in their courts
• Church courts never sentenced people to death
• Church courts


  Hindered justice: Criminals punishable by death could be set free due to their clergy privilege
• Benefit of the clergy

  Claim by an accused person to be tried in church courts
• Benefit of the clergy

  1. Church used a test that required the accused to read a bible verse

  2. Some criminals knew a specific verse by heart known as the neck verse
• Benefit of the clergy

  Hindered justice: Easy to escape punishment by memorization