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 11001500
• Most crime still petty
theft
• New crime of heresy
• Rebels accused of
treason
• Traitors & heretics
publicly executed
The Later Middle Ages 11001500
• 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?
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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?
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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
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Huge variety of crime
National police force
Complex court system
Fines & imprisonment
Rehabilitation rather
than punishment
• Neighbourhood Watch