Medieval England – The Anglo-Saxons (401 CE - 1066 CE)

• How did the Saxon kingdom form?

  Arrived in small tribal groups ≥ small kingdoms ≥ larger kingdoms ≥ merged to form the Saxon kingdom.
• What was the impact of the formation of the Saxon kingdom?

  The impact of this kind of development on Saxon law and order was that there was variations of law and order from area to area.
• How did Saxon lords keep order?

  Saxon lords kept order through traditional systems of loyalty. This would be through: earned favour, money, and power.
• What were the two penalties for crime in Medieval England?

  The two penalties for crime in Medieval England were:

  1. Blood Feuds: Families of victims were allowed to avenge crimes. The issue with this is that feuds could go on for generations.
  2. Wergild: Literal translation is "man-payment" or "man-price." Compensation to the victim or their family. Additionally, there were set amounts for murder and various injuries.
• How did the Anglo-Saxon control for crime during Medieval England?


  The Anglo-Saxons controlled for crime by means of:

  • Hue and Cry: Could be raised by anyone; a loud cry calling for the pursuit and capture of a criminal and everyone was expected to helped.
  • Tithing: Groups of ten men from age 12 and upwards. All males had to be a member and had the responsibility for the others. If any member broke the law, the other had to take responsibility or face the punishment themselves.
  • Posse Comitatus: Raised by sherriff to chase a criminal. Anyone called upon to join it had to do so.
• How did the Anglo-Saxons serve justice?

  They served justice through a folkmoot which is a court presided over by a local lord. Punishments ranged for minor crimes would be fines, oaths on the bible, and public humiliation; for major crimes it would be mutilation, hanging, and beheadings.
• Why were there a preference for less punishments amongst Anglo-Saxons during Medieval England?

  The reason for this preference for less punishments was due to villagers depending on each other to grow crops. Execution would negatively affect the whole community.
• What would happen–amongst Anglo-Saxons during Medieval England–if a decision could not be reached in the folkmoot? Explain what the next course of action is.

  If a decision could not be reached in the folkmoot the accused would have to undergo trial by ordeal.

  • It is still the trial and not the punishment. Guilt or innocence is determined through a painful or fatal ordeal. The logic behind this is that God would indicate the innocence of an individual by performing a miracle on their behalf.