Medieval Crime and Justice in England

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is classified as a major crime in Medieval England?

  • Selling damaged goods
  • Petty theft
  • Adultery
  • Heresy (correct)

What was the punishment for murder under the Murdrum laws?

  • Chopping fingers
  • Execution (correct)
  • Life imprisonment
  • Exile

What role did the Justices of Peace (JPs) play in the judicial system of 1361?

  • Enforce royal decrees
  • Punish minor crimes locally (correct)
  • Conduct trials for serious crimes
  • Execute prisoners

Which law introduced in 1401 specifically dealt with heresy?

<p>Heresy Law (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which trial method was abolished by Pope in 1215?

<p>Trial by ordeal (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the establishment of Forest Laws after the Norman invasion?

<p>Preserve land from destruction (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following crimes is considered a crime against authority?

<p>Counterfeiting (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In 1351, what was the consequence for someone convicted of treason?

<p>Hanged, drawn, and quartered (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Crime Against Authority

A crime committed against the state or authority, such as treason, rebellion, counterfeiting, or heresy.

Crime Against Person

A crime committed against another person, including assault, murder, and adultery.

Crimes Against Property

A crime committed against property, including arson, poaching, theft (serious and petty), and selling damaged goods.

Treason Act of 1351

A law introduced in 1351 in England that punished treason by hanging, drawing, and quartering.

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Medieval English Justice System

A system of law enforcement in Medieval England where local lords judged minor crimes, Justices of the Peace handled moderate crimes, and royal judges dealt with serious crimes.

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Medieval Trial Systems

Anglo-Saxons used trial by jury, where locals judged the accused. Normans used trial by combat for serious crimes, relying on physical battles to determine guilt.

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Medieval Punishments

This was a system of punishment in Medieval England that included fines, stocks and pillories, corporal punishment, and capital punishment for serious crimes like heresy, treason, and murder.

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Wergilds

A system of compensation used in Anglo-Saxon England where the family of a murdered person received payment from the offender's family. Normans revised this system, making the monarch the recipient of the money.

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Study Notes

Medieval Crime and Justice in England

  • Major Crimes (Medieval England): Counterfeiting, heresy, and poaching.
  • Minor Crimes (Medieval England): Petty theft, selling damaged goods, and adultery.
  • Crimes Against (Medieval England):
    • Person: Assault, murder, and adultery.
    • Property: Arson, poaching, serious theft, petty theft, and selling damaged goods.
    • Authority: Treason, rebellion, counterfeiting, and heresy.
  • Social Crime: A crime considered harmful to society was a "social crime."
  • Norman Invasion Impact: Introduction of stricter laws after the Norman invasion.
  • Forest Laws: Implemented to protect land; punishments aimed at deterrence.
  • Murdrum Fines: Developed due to Saxon resentment towards Normans, fines imposed for murder; murder often led to execution, and involved chopping fingers.
  • 1351 Treason Act: Individuals convicted of treason faced hanging, drawing, and quartering.
  • Sheriffs (1066): Assigned by William I to handle medieval crimes and gain more authority to maintain order.
  • Royal Judges (Edward I, etc.): Introduced to replace biased and inconsistent prior courts.
  • Justices of the Peace (JPs, 1361): Local officials responsible for enforcing minor crimes.
  • 1401 Heresy Law: Increased power/punishment for those challenging heresy (burning).

Trial Procedures (Medieval England)

  • Anglo-Saxon Trials: Accused judged by local communities (Trial by jury). Trial by ordeal (hand on hot iron).
  • Norman Trials: Trial by Combat. Local lords judged moderate crimes.
  • Later Medieval Trials: Minor crimes judged by JPs, moderate crimes by JPs, and serious crimes by Royal Judges.
  • Trial by Ordeal Abolished: The practice was outlawed in 1215 by the Pope.

Punishments (Medieval England)

  • Fines: Common punishment.
  • Stocks and Pillories: Used as deterrents.
  • Corporal Punishment: Physical harm inflicted on the accused.
  • Capital Punishment: Death penalty for serious crimes (heresy, treason, murder).
  • Wergild: Monetary compensation for damages; more common than reparations.
  • Reparations: Introduced in some areas; compensation went to the Monarch post-Norman era.

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