Crime 1A

• As towns, such as Eoforwic (York) and Lundenwic (London), grew in importance, there was more opportunity for both crime against the person and crime against property.
• In towns, people did not know each other well, so it was easier to get away with crimes.
• The concentration of goods and money meant there was more of value to steal.
• The development of a social structure of king, nobles, freemen and serfs meant that actions that threatened this system were considered crimes against authority: for example, a serf starting a fight with a noble.
• The worse crime against authority was treason: betraying the king.
• Actions that were against religious beliefs (for example, having sex outside marriage) were considered moral crimes.