Crime and Punishment

REVISION

Saxon Period AD 400-1100

• • • • Main crime was of theft – examples?

Violent crime quite rare Victims had to catch criminals – how?

Adults formed ‘tithings’

Saxon Period AD 400-1100

• • • • ‘Wergild’ paid to victims – how did this work?

By 1100 more physical punishments Guilt decided by juries or ‘Trial by Ordeal’

The Later Middle Ages 1100 1500

• • • • Most crime still petty theft New crime of heresy Rebels accused of treason Traitors & heretics publicly executed

The Later Middle Ages 1100 1500

• • • • • Policing also done by the Coroner & Sheriff Constables appointed More physical punishments Courts developing – work by royal judges & JPs Manor courts

Was Saxon justice harsh & superstitious?

• • • • • • From early times the Blood Feud was allowed Wergild later introduced Hanging & mutilations as punishments Tithings used to stop crimes Juries decided guilt – ‘compurgation’ Accused could be tried by ordeal or combat

What changes did the Normans make?

• • • • Kept trial by ordeal & added trial by combat Still used tithings Wergild ended Punishments designed to emphasise the power of the king

Medieval & Modern Times

• • • • • Petty thefts People responsible for catching criminals Beginning of jury system Wergild & physical punishments No prisons • • • • • • Huge variety of crime National police force Complex court system Fines & imprisonment Rehabilitation rather than punishment Neighbourhood Watch