LAW ENFORCEMENT

• During the Anglo-Saxon period, there was no official 'police force' - the community was largely responsible for preventing crime and catching criminals.
• Most Saxons had a strong sense of duty - crime was low, law was enforced.
• Tithings - Shires split into hundreds which were divided into 10 tithings. Tithings consisted of 10 men over 12 years old. If any member was accused of a crime, the others would take him to court or pay a fine.
• Shire Reeve (later a sheriff) - A local man who would take criminals to court and ensure that punishment was carried out. He regularly met with one man per tithing.
• Hue and Cry - A victim/witness of a crime raised this by shouting to alert others. Anybody who heard this had to chase/help catch the criminal.
• Courts - If a suspect was not caught in the act or didn't admit to a crime, guilt/innocence was decided by a court.
• • Royal Courts - National, most serious crimes
  • Shire Courts - Lesser crimes
  • Hundred Courts - Petty crimes
• When did the Harrying of the North take place?

  1069
• Oaths - Accused could swear before God, Supported by oath helpers.
• If the jury couldn't decide innocence or guilt, the accused was handed over to the Church for God to decide - Trial by Ordeal.
• Continuities from Anglo-Saxon Law enforcement:

  • Hue and Cry
  • Tithings
  • Court system
• After the Anglo-Saxon Period, there was an increase in authorities and officials involved in Law Enforcement.
• Trial by Combat was introduced by the Normans - The accused and accuser would fight, whoever won was correct.
• From the 1250s, Parish Constables led the Hue and Cry and arrested criminals.
• Night watchmen - Volunteers, patrolled streets at night, handed criminals to the Constable in the morning (change from Saxons).
• In 1195 (under Richard I), knights were appointed as peace keepers in 'unruly' areas.
• In 1327, Edward II extended knights to all areas.
• In 1361, peace keepers were now JPs - Local Lords appointed by monarch, heard minor crimes in small courts 4 times a year.
• The Normans introduced the Sheriff to find criminals if the Hue and Cry failed. From 1285, the Sheriff could form a posse of local men to help.