Medieval period: 1000 - 1500

• When was the Anglo Saxon period?


  1000 - 1066
• Murdrum law

  Created by William the Conqueror. Saxon community must face a fine for the murder of a Norman. Used as a deterrent since Normans were a tiny minority of 7000 among 2 million Saxons
• What was the Wergild?


  first introduced in the Saxon period. a system of compensation paid to the victims of the crime or their families. 2 shillings to the owner for killing a slave. 1200 shillings for killing a thane.
• What was the Hue & Cry?

  First introduced in the Saxon period. Entire village expected to catch the criminal, if anyone didn’t join the whole village would have to pay a fine
• What was a tithing?

  Used in Anglo-Saxon time. Every male over 12 was expected to join. It was a group of 10 men responsible for each other - if one committed a crime, the others had to bring him to court or pay a fine
• What was trial by ordeal?

  Used in Anglo-Saxons. Four main types: hot water, cold water, hot iron, blessed bread. Accused had to fast for 3 days and then hear Mass as preparation.
• Trial by hot iron

  Usually women. Accused picked up hot iron and walked three paces. Hand bandaged for 3 days
• Trial by hot water

  Hand put in boiling water and bandaged for 3 days
• Trial by blessed bread

  Taken by priests
• Which hated law did William introduce?

  Forest laws. Hunting deer punished by first 2 fingers chopped off, repeat offenders were blinded
• Trial Normans introduced

  Trial by combat
• What law did the Normans end?


  Wergild - fines instead paid to the King’s officials (King’s Peace)
• Courts Normans introduced

  Church courts - used for churchmen, dealt with moral offences, more lenient (never sentenced death)
• What was the benefit of the clergy?

  When the accused claimed the right to be tried in church courts. Church created a test requiring accused to read Bible verse which became known as the ‘neck verse’
• What was claiming sanctuary?


  Someone on the run from the law under protection of the church. They had 40 days to face trial or leave the country
• What were parish constables?

  Created by Edward I in 1285 - unpaid volunteers to keep peace
• When was trial by ordeal abolished?

  1215 - by Pope Innocent III
• When were Royal coroners introduced?

  1190 by the king to determine causes of death.
• When was the Norman period?

  1066 - 1200
• When was the later mediaeval period?

  1200 - 1500
• When was the murdrum fine abolished?


  1350
• When were heresy laws introduced?

  1382 – as there were increasing challenges to the church
• What were the Circuit courts?

  Created in 1166 - Royal judges tried more serious crimes in important towns
• When were Justices of the Peace introduced?

  1361
• What was the early Saxon blood feud?


  Victim’s family took revenge
• When was hung, drawn and quartered introduced?

  1305 - punishment for treason