Medieval England

Only those with hunting rights could hunt on wild animals as it was classed as a type of theft after the Forest Laws were introduced. It was a social crime was many people did not believe it was a bad crime as many committed it to eat and survive.

Introduced after 1066 Norman Conquest. About 30% of England was classed as Royal Forests which the King and his friends could only use for leisure.Those who lived on these areas previously were evicted and they were protected by the Forest Laws. It was illegal to hunt or take wood from these forests and you needed a license.

After the Normans invaded the Anglo Saxon there was large rebellions particularly in York and East Anglia. Like in Anglo Saxon times, those who rebelled against the King were ordered the death penalty but William also punished those who were indirectly involved. Around 100,000 people starved to death because of Williams orders.

Established to gain control over conquered population. If an Anglo Saxon killed a Norman and th culprit was not found, a fine was to be paid by the hundred where the body was found.

In the year 1000, most lived in small towns or villages where everyone knew everyone and most had a sense of duty toards each other. This meant crime rate was lower as less people were committing crimes against their naighbours due to this bond.

Hundreds were split into groups of 10 men who were all responsible for each other. If one commits a crime and needs to pay a fine or go to court, the other men in the tithings were responsible to enforce the punishment for the offender. The Hue and Cry was when a victim or witness of crime had to raise alarm to alert others in which if it was heard, the person would have to help find the criminal.

The innocence of a criminal who had not been seen or admitting to crime was decided by court. Royal courts dealt with the most serious crimes, lesser crimes in shire courts and petty crimes in hundreds courts. These courts were made public.

Anglo Saxons = Wergild was used where a fine was paid to the victims family depending on the persons social status.

Normans =Murdrum fine paid by the hundred where the Norman Lord was found. Wergild ended in the Norman period

Public humiliation where criminal went through physical pain and discomfort where they were exposed to abuse such as rubbish being thrown at them and verbal abuse.

Trial by Hot Water/Iron - Criminals hand was burnt and wrapped up for 3 days. After 3 days, if the burns had not healed they were deemed guilty.

Trial by Cold Water - Criminals were tied to a rope at the waist in water where they would lie on the water and if the knot sunk under the surface, they were classed as guilty.

Trial by Unleavened Bread - only for priests where if they choked on the bread they were guilty otherwise able to swallow it freely.

Trial by Combat - 2 Criminals would fight until someone died or surrended where the winner was classed as innocent.

Statue of Labourers in 1351 where it was illegal for peasants to demand higher wages for work. Heresy became a crime where they would be burnt to a stake for questioning or going against the church. Justices of Peace could arrest heretics and in 1414 both government and church worked together. Hanged, drawn and Quartered was introduced as punishment ofr high treason.

Coroners were introduced during Richard I reign in 1194 to deal with suspicious deaths. In 1195, knights were appointed as the keeper of Kings Peace in unruly areas. In 1327, they became more widespread and men who were good and lawful were appointed. They met 4x a year to carry out magistrates orders and enforce law. Both appointed by the King.

Churches and Cathedrals were the biggest buildings in communities to remind people God exists and his power. The Church owned 1/5 of the countries wealth and collect 1/10 of tax earnings. Controlled over other religions such as in the 1290s when Jews were threatened to convert or face banished. 

Clergy members could be tried in Church courts by the Benefit of Clergy to prove their right. By reading Psalm 51, they could be proved as clergy member as only the clergy would be able to read at that time. However the psalm was easily memorized so non clergy members could try for this benefit. Sanctuary made gave criminals protection from punishment as long as they promised to leave the country within 40 days. In 1536, Henry VIII ended sanctuary.

Sheriffs - Introduced in the later Middle Ages and expected to track down criminals if the hue and cry hadnt worked. From 1285, he could from a group of men to help him catch criminals.

Parish Constables - Unpaid position which lasted for a year. Nominated by the community and worked alongside constables