1000-1500

• Trial by ordeal


  Used when a jury could not decide whether a criminal was innocent or guilty
• Trial by cold water


  1. Man tied by rope, lowered into river

  2. If innocent, they would die but "go to heaven"

  3. If guilty, they were taken by other men
• Trial by hot iron


  1. Hold hot metal for 3 paces

  2. Hand is bandaged for 3 days, they were innocent if it was healing. usually done on women
• Trial by blessed bread


  1. Another priest would pray they they would choke on bread

  innocent if they didn't choke
• Sanctuary


  If you committed a crime you could get protection in a church for 40 days
• Benefit of the clergy


  • Clergy could be prosecuted in a church court because they were lenient and would let them off
  • Neck verse: they could read a verse from a bible to prove their innocence, saves them from being hanged
• Crimes

  • Crimes against a person: rape, murder, assault
  • Crimes against property: theft
  • Crimes against authority: treason
• Tithings


  10 men over the age of 12, if someone broke the law it was their responsibility to bring them to court
• Hue and Cry


  The villagers would chase the criminal, led by constables
• Trial by Jury


  Some members of the community would decide whether or not a criminal was guilty
• Constables


  • Well respected men who would keep peace in a village
  • Took the role for 1 year and led hue and cry
• Punishments

  • Corporal Punishment: Body punishment, for example stocks and pillary
  • Capital Punishment: death penalty
  • Death penalty was used for treason
  • Prisons were only used for a criminal waiting for trial or if someone owed money
  • Reoffenders were harshly mutilated as a deterrent